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Champions League Matchweek Seven Preview

As we reach the penultimate matchweek of the Champions League group stage, the pressure is mounting for several of Europe’s biggest clubs. With qualification to the knockout stages hanging in the balance, some of the competition’s top names find themselves battling to secure their place among the continent’s elite. This matchweek promises high drama, with clubs like PSG, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Barcelona facing critical fixtures that will shape their fates in the tournament.

PSG and Manchester City, despite being two of the most star-studded teams in Europe, have struggled to find consistent form in the competition this season. Meanwhile, Liverpool continue to cruise through the group stages with a perfect record, while Barcelona, led by prodigious talent Lamine Yamal, look every bit the powerhouse they were in the early 2010s. Each of these teams is poised to deliver moments of brilliance, and the drama will be intense as they clash with their respective opponents. With so much on the line, this week’s Champions League action is set to be an enthralling spectacle. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect from the week’s most exciting matchups.


PSG and Manchester City are both struggling in the Champions League – now they face each other

Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City have both found the Champions League to be a troublesome terrain this season. City, currently sitting in 22nd place, have yet to fully hit their stride in Europe, while PSG are even further adrift in 26th. It’s a strange contrast to the success both clubs are enjoying domestically. PSG have been flying in Ligue 1, while City seem to have found their form after a slow start to the Premier League season. But neither side has managed to find consistency in the Champions League, with both clubs desperately needing a win to ensure qualification.

This match will see Khvicha Kvaratskhelia make his much-anticipated debut for PSG after his high-profile £60 million move from Napoli. The Georgian winger, known for his dazzling dribbles and lethal finishing, could be the X-factor that helps PSG turn their fortunes around in Europe. Manchester City’s defence will need to be on high alert—if Kvaratskhelia hits the ground running, he could wreak havoc on City’s backline. With both teams desperate for a result, expect a thrilling encounter with high stakes for both sides.

Will Liverpool march to a perfect Champions League record?

Liverpool have been nothing short of sensational in the Champions League this season. With six wins out of six, Arne Slot’s side has shown no signs of slowing down, and they now look to extend their flawless record as they face Lille at Anfield. The Reds have been playing some of their best football in years, blending high-intensity pressing with clinical finishing.

Lille will arrive in Liverpool as massive underdogs, and Klopp will be keen to keep his team’s momentum going with a dominant performance. While Lille have their own quality players, including promising forward Jonathan David, they face a daunting task against a Liverpool side that has not just been winning, but doing so with style and flair. A seventh straight victory for Liverpool could see them finish top of the pack with a perfect record—a feat that would be a remarkable statement of their Champions League credentials. Don’t be surprised if this one ends in a one-sided victory for the Merseysiders, as they continue their march toward the knockout stages.

Kylian Mbappé is starting to dazzle for Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappé’s move to Real Madrid has been surrounded by a great deal of intrigue and some initial skepticism, but the French forward has swiftly silenced his critics with a string of blistering performances. Having netted four goals in his last three appearances, Mbappé is now looking like the player everyone expected him to be when he made the jump to the Spanish giants. His transition to Madrid wasn’t without its controversy—some questioned whether he would find his place in a team already home to talents like Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo. However, Mbappé’s recent form has firmly put those doubts to rest.

With Madrid facing RB Salzburg on Wednesday, all eyes will be on Mbappé to see if he can continue his hot streak. Salzburg will be no pushovers, but they will have a tough time containing the world’s best player when he’s in this kind of form. Expect a high-paced game with plenty of goal-scoring opportunities, and a chance for Mbappé to further stake his claim as one of the game’s true superstars.

MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 17: Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid CF celebrates Endrick de Sousa goal's during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 match between Real Madrid C.F. and VfB Stuttgart at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 17, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.
(Photo by Alberto Gardin/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Brest have a good chance to solidify their Champions League dreams

Brest may not be one of Europe’s traditional powerhouses, but the French side are enjoying a fairytale run in the Champions League. Sitting in seventh place, Brest are on course to secure automatic qualification for the Round of 16—a remarkable achievement for a club with limited European pedigree. Their upcoming clash against 27th-place Shakhtar Donetsk presents an excellent opportunity to further solidify their spot in the knockout stages. Brest have shown resilience and tactical discipline, and they’ll need both in abundance to get past Shakhtar and take another crucial step toward their Champions League dream.

Shakhtar, on the other hand, are in desperate need of a result if they are to keep their own hopes of qualification alive. But given Brest’s strong form and the quality they’ve shown so far, it’s difficult to see the Ukrainian side pulling off a shock result here. Brest’s solid defence and well-organised attack should prove too much for a Shakhtar side that has yet to find consistent form. A win for Brest would be a huge milestone in their Champions League journey, and they’ll surely be looking to take full advantage of this favourable fixture.

Led by Lamine Yamal, Barcelona look like the best team in the world at the moment

If there’s one team that’s been turning heads in Europe this season, it’s Barcelona. The Catalan giants have been playing some scintillating football, reminiscent of their glory years under Pep Guardiola. The key figure in their resurgence has been Lamine Yamal, the prodigious 17-year-old who seems to be on a mission to prove he belongs among the world’s elite. Yamal has been involved in nearly every goal Barcelona has scored recently, whether it’s through scoring or assisting, and he’s becoming an increasingly influential figure in their attack.

Barcelona’s upcoming clash with Benfica is one of the most anticipated of the matchweek, with both teams playing some of the most exciting football in the competition. Yamal’s electric form means that Benfica will have to be on high alert, as the young forward looks set to wreak havoc on their defence. Barcelona’s dynamic attacking play, combined with their newfound defensive solidity, makes them one of the most dangerous teams in the Champions League right now. Benfica may be in for a tough evening as they try to contain one of Europe’s most thrilling teams. Expect a rampant Barcelona to continue their surge toward the knockout stages.


By Nicky Helfgott / @NickyHelfgott1 on Twitter (X)

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