Desh Parthab takes a look at a few players to keep an eye on in Wednesday’s Champions League fixtures including Timo Werner of RB Leipzig and Olivier Giroud of AC Milan.
Napoli stunned Amsterdam while Spanish heavyweights Barcelona and Atletico Madrid saw defeats in a pulsating night of European football.
Tonight’s round of fixtures will give Leipzig and Juventus an opportunity to put something on the board.
Leipzig have lost 4 of their previous 6 outings (across all competitions) and find themselves in the bottom half of the Bundesliga. Juventus are having an equally dismal time. The Bianconeri have won just 1 of their previous six outings (across all competitions) and have seen three red cards in their previous four.
The Juventus hierarchy dismissed claims that they were looking for a new manager and believe Allegri is their man.
The Old Lady have been on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline on both Champions League outings this season, but a resounding performance can be expected against Israeli outfit Maccabi Haifa tonight. With that being said, here are my picks for tonight’s action!
Timo Werner
It has not been a fairy tale return to RB Leipzig for Timo Werner. Whilst the forward is in the thick of things at the German club, results have been unconvincing.
The Red Bulls currently find themselves in the bottom half of the Bundesliga and are rooted to the foot of Group F, shipping 6 goals across their opening 2 UCL fixtures.
Despite this, Werner has been a class act and shown that he still has what it takes. Across his previous 3 appearances on home soil, across all club competitions, he has returned 2 goals from his 12 shots.
Nevertheless, he could have added to his tally as seen by his 3 big chances missed in this spell.
The prodigal son left and returns to make history with the club!!
— Kehinde Hassan Afolabi (@hfworld_) October 1, 2022
Timo Werner is the first player to reach 100 goals for Leipzig in history.
Turbo Timo! ⚡ pic.twitter.com/BDO6i6GHnq
Olivier Giroud
Olivier Giroud has been a constant supply of goals this season. Prior to the international break, the forward was on a hot streak netting 4 goals in 5 games, across all competitions.
The Frenchman followed that up with a goal and an assist during Nations League duty, which saw him become France’s oldest ever goal scorer.
Milan secured their 5th league win on the weekend, wherein Giroud attempted 3 shots, hitting the woodwork once. The former Blues man makes his return to Chelsea this evening and could be back among the goals in London.
Olivier Giroud’s homecoming - A return to the bridge for a fan favourite 🔜@_OlivierGiroud_ 💙⏳pic.twitter.com/QjVomTjUDq
— Dubois (@CFCDUBois) October 3, 2022
Angel Di Maria
Angel Di Maria has had an injury-ridden start to life at Juventus. The Argentine has made just 4 league appearances since signing for the Italian outfit, where he has delivered a goal and an assist. Juventus currently occupy 7th spot in the Italian top division, with a 3-4-1 record. Their domestic opponents this weekend are a high flying AC Milan side so tonight is a must win for Allegri and I think Di Maria could be the one that proves the difference.
🗣 “There is no concern regarding Milik's condition (fatigue) but Allegri could rest him for the Champions League match. In his place, Angel Di Maria could play alongside Vlahovic.” (@DiMarzio) pic.twitter.com/55SObl4JYp
— JuveFC (@juvefcdotcom) October 4, 2022
Shakhtar Donetsk
This is the third consecutive UCL season wherein Shakhtar Donetsk are involved in a group stage tie against Real Madrid.
This time around, the Ukrainian giants are led by Croatian tactician Igor Jovicevic who was once on the payroll of the Merengues and could get one over his former employers.
Shakhtar talisman Mykhailo Mudryk has been involved in four of his club’s five tournament goals this season. Furthermore, he has delivered four assists in his four appearances in the Ukrainian topflight, so keep an eye out for him in this one.
PSA: Real Madrid vs Shakhtar Donetsk post-game podcast will be live on Zoom
— Managing Madrid (@managingmadrid) October 4, 2022
Details here https://t.co/rLxgnc0awY
Joao Cancelo
Joao Cancelo has delivered three assists across his two outings in the UCL thus far. The 28-year-old has been an integral cog in Guardiola’s pursuit of total football and his numbers speak for themselves.
The Portuguese international has attempted five shots and created four chances in the European tournament and come up against a Copenhagen team who are yet to open their UCL account this season.
Manchester City have demonstrated their attacking firepower over the past few seasons, but are now headed up by the most in form striker in the world.
🚨 Real Madrid will target João Cancelo next summer and hope to secure his services for between €40M and €50M!
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 4, 2022
In addition, in 2024, operation Haaland will begin. They want to recruit him for €180M thanks to a release clause in his contract!
(Source: @diarioas) pic.twitter.com/j8nGoQKGjS
