The Champions League continues this evening. Desh Parthab takes a look at five players to keep an eye out on including a now legendary Frenchman struggling for European form at Real Madrid and a German upstart tearing it up for Borussia Dortmund.
Statistically speaking, Karim Benzema of Real Madrid and Youssoufa Moukoko aren’t too far apart from one another this season.
The Frenchman has played 120 minutes in the Champions League without a goal or assist, while the German has been on the pitch for 106 minutes in Europe returning an assist.
We’ve come to expect more from Benzema, however, who has 115 UCL goal involvements (G: 86, A: 29) across 144 appearances. 15 of those goals came last season in just 12 appearances as Real Madrid went on to lift the trophy.
Looking ahead to this evening, PSG take on Benfica at the Parc des Princes, and I anticipate a big scoreline. In the reverse fixture, Benfica shot-stopper Odysseas Vlachodimos was up to the challenge, but home advantage for the Parisians could see them end the Portuguese side’s unbeaten start to the season.
Jorge Sampaoli got his reign as Sevilla manager off to a decent start on the weekend with a 1-1 draw at home against Bilbao. He now takes his charges (who are winless across their previous five outings, across all competitions) to Signal Iduna Park to face Dortmund.
Pep Guardiola’s seemingly unstoppable Manchester City machine head to Denmark for what should be a routine victory against Copenhagen.
In the pick of the evening’s action AC Milan will want to put right the wrongs of last week’s 3-0 loss at Stamford Bridge in the reverse fixture at the San Siro.
Graham Potter rested a few of his heavy hitters (Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng, Raheem Sterling and Reece James started on the bench) in their 3-0 victory over Wolves on the weekend.
Milan, meanwhile, come into this one off the back of a 2-0 home win over Juventus at the weekend.
It’s shaping up to be a cracking evening of football. Desh Parthab takes a look at five players who could be in the headlines tomorrow morning.
Mahrez tipped to torment Copenhagen
Riyad Mahrez has returned two goals and an assist in his previous three appearances for Manchester City in all competitions. Despite making just three league starts in the English topflight, the forward has started back-to-back Champions League fixtures and could make that three in a row tonight. Mahrez has attempted seven shots and created seven chances in his previous three the Citizens and I back the Algerian winger – who seems to be on penalty duty – to get on the scoresheet tonight en route to a comfortable win this.
Et but de Riyad Mahrez sur penalty pour le 4-0. Il fête son 200ème match pour les Blues comme il se doit. #LigueDesChampions #ChampionsLeague #MCICPH #ManCity #Copenhagen pic.twitter.com/pghaclX5UU
— eolan (@brun_oisif) October 5, 2022
Nkunku targeting more success against Celtic
Christopher Nkunku has been in sublime form for RB Leipzig. The forward has netted in each of his previous three appearances for the Red Bulls. During that period, Nkunku attempted seven shots, with five of those being on target for a return of four goals. Furthermore, he created 11 chances in that spell and is on penalties, illustrating his overall threat going forward. The German club are unbeaten in their previous three fixtures. It could be a long old night for Celtic.
Chelsea Bound, Christopher Nkunku scores against Celtic... ⚽💙pic.twitter.com/6c9zKE2WDU
— Mwas Mchelsea (@MwasMchelsea_) October 5, 2022
Benzema’s to break UCL drought against Shakhtar?
Karim Benzema has played 120 minutes of Champions League football this season without a goal. Benzema (G15 A2) notched up 17 goal involvements in the competition last season across 12 fixtures. Across his previous three appearances in the Spanish topflight, the forward attempted 16 shots, returning two goals and hitting the woodwork twice. He’s also created eight chances in that spell. The legendary marksman will seek to end his Champions League drought when he faces Shakhtar on neutral ground in Poland.
Karim Benzema is the player with the highest xG under-performance LaLiga this season (-2.3). He scored only 3 goals based on the 5.3 he was expected to put in from the chances he received.
— Gasipo (@gasipo_opinions) October 10, 2022
Struggling in front of the goal ❌🥅 pic.twitter.com/NSEaUGMavI
Moukoko’s stunning come-up continues
What were you doing at 17? Probably not leading the line for Borussia Dortmund, eh? Youssoufa Moukoko looks like a natural under of the spotlight. The teenager stole the show in Der Klassiker over the weekend as Dortmund came from 2 goals down to deny Bayern victory. Across his previous three appearances for BVB, Moukoko has attempted six shots, returning one goal and missing two big chances. He’s also provided an assist from his three chances created in that run, so keep an eye out for him.
Just outrageous from 17-year-old Youssoufa Moukoko 🥶#UCL pic.twitter.com/2UkDUvsttF
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 7, 2022
Mbappe and PSG looking to end Benfica’s unbeaten start to the season
Kylian Mbappe has three goals to show for his three Champions League appearances this season. The 23-year-old was on fire on MD1 netting a brace in a scintillating first-half performance which put the hosts firmly in command against Juventus. Following back-to-back away European outings, PSG return home to complete their doubleheader against Benfica. In the reverse fixture, PSG were held to a draw against an excellent Benfica side. Still, Christophe Galtier would have viewed that game as two points dropped, rather than a point gained.
Lionel Messi goal for PSG vs Benfica 🔥
— Lij (@ElijahKyama) October 5, 2022
Kylian Mbappe x Neymar 🔥
Messi has now scored vs 40 different teams in the Champions League.pic.twitter.com/BW1GwAp0P4
