The Champions League night brings six challenges, with two different schedules and several confrontations that attract attention. In Maradona, the clash between Napoli and Premier League champions, Arsenal, stands out. The Londoners want to return to the protagonists, starting with Allegri's team. The confrontation at Anfield between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid should also be very intense.
NAPLES - ARSENAL
The mission, however difficult it may be, is possible, if only because the impetus of the Maradona stadium, on nights like these, is felt best and can scare anyone, including Arsenal. However, the main mission today is to stop the series of negative results that have been accompanying Napoli for several weeks. Two defeats, against Como and Inter, both particularly heavy in a championship that has just started and where the pace must already be followed. And precisely for this, in a way, Arsenal comes at the right moment, because from the big matches you can restart and get another boost.
Against the European runners-up and Premier League champions, Allegri arrives with a previously untested midfield dictated by the emergency: instead of McTominay, De Bruyne will play, whose experience will undoubtedly be important. Instead of Anguissa, it will be Gilmour's turn. In the center will be Lobotka, in a midfield that is not very physical, but with great ball circulation, which must supply the attacking trio composed of Politano, Hojlund and Alisson Santos. The defense, despite the five goals conceded in the last two games, remains the same, with Di Lorenzo and Olivera on the wings, while Rrahmani will be in the center together with Rafa Marin.
On the other hand, Arsenal come after a turbulent evening, with the flight being held up for a long time in London due to problems involving English airports, arriving in Italy only at 21:40 and, consequently, giving up even the inspection of the pitch at Maradona. In short, some worries have been experienced and it remains to be seen if they can affect this evening. Last year, the Gunners ended the League Phase with full points, with eight wins in as many matches. Napoli's task is to interrupt this extraordinary positive series.
Possible formations:
NAPOLI (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Rafa Marin, Olivera; Gilmour, Lobotka, De Bruyne; Politano, Hojlund, Alisson Santos. Coach: Allegri.
ARSENAL (4-3-3): Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Bruno Guimaraes, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Tzolis. Coach: Arteta.
OTHER MATCHES
At 18:45, Barcelona hosts Feyenoord in a duel where the Catalans start as clear favorites. The Spanish team seeks to start their European adventure with a victory at home, while the Dutch travel to Barcelona with the aim of surprising and obtaining a result that would give them confidence for the continuation of the League Stage.
Stuttgart-Viking is also played at the same time. The Germans want to use the home field advantage to get the three points, while the Norwegian team seeks to survive a difficult transfer and leave with a positive result.
At 21:00 comes the most interesting duel of the evening: Liverpool–Atletico Madrid. At Anfield, two teams with different philosophies and histories face off, but with the same objective, a strong start in the Champions League. Liverpool will seek to impose the pace in front of its fans, while Diego Simeone's Atletico relies on organization, physical strength and the ability to strike at the right moments. A match where details can make the difference and where every mistake can be costly.
In Paris, PSG host Slovan Bratislava. The French champions are aiming for another convincing performance in Europe and at home they will look to turn the quality gap into a concrete result. For Slovan, the mission is significantly more difficult, but it is precisely such challenges that the less favored teams seek to write history.
Meanwhile, in Lisbon, Sporting face Galatasaray. Another duel that promises intensity, with the Portuguese looking to exploit the home-field factor, while Galatasaray seeks to show that it can compete at the highest levels of European football.
Champions League – League Stage
18:45 Barcelona – Feyenoord
18:45 VfB Stuttgart – Viking
21:00 Liverpool – Atletico Madrid
21:00 Napoli – Arsenal
21:00 Paris Saint-Germain – Slovan Bratislava
21:00 Sporting CP – Galatasaray
