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UCL Matchday 7: What to look out for on Tuesday

olympic games paris 202420 January 2025 11:50
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We are edging ever closer to the conclusion of the inaugural league phase of the Uefa Champions League and there is plenty to play for on Matchday 7. Catch all the action live on SuperSport.

We look at the key talking points and things to look out for in the latest round of matches taking place on Tuesday. All matches kickoff at 10pm CAT, unless stated otherwise.

Atalanta v Sturm Graz (7:45pm CAT)

A 1-0 home win over Sturm Graz in group D gave Atalanta early encouragement on their road to Uefa Europa League glory last season and now, with hopes of climbing from 13th in the league phase table, Gian Piero Gasperini's charges are welcoming the Austrian side back to Bergamo.

Atalanta were unbeaten in the league phase until their 3-2 home defeat by Real Madrid on matchday 6, but their confidence was hardly diminished after a compelling performance. "We showed that we can compete against a team full of champions," said forward Ademola Lookman.

Sturm Graz have only taken three points from their six league phase games, narrowly missing out on the chance to add to that tally after Hákon Arnar Haraldsson struck a late winner for Lille on matchday 6.

That result leaves them 29th, and they have also lost forward Mika Biereth (to Monaco) and full-back Jusuf Gazibegović (to Köln) during the winter break. Sturm do not return to domestic action until the end of the month, but with new boss Jürgen Säumel having put a spring in their step toward the end of 2024, they should not be written off.

 

 

Did you know? Sturm Graz have only won one of their 14 meetings with Italian sides in Uefa competitions, drawing six and losing seven.

Monaco v Aston Villa (7:45pm CAT)

After suffering consecutive defeats, 16th-placed Monaco will hope to recover the form they showed earlier in their league phase campaign. Adi Hütter's side took three wins from their opening four, including a statement victory over Barcelona, before suffering setbacks against Benfica and Arsenal.

 

 

A more ruthless edge, it is hoped, can improve their fortunes against another strong English opponent. "We have to learn from the moments where we couldn't finish, become more efficient, and then I think we have every chance of going through," said captain Thilo Kehrer.

Ross Barkley's 85th-minute winner at Leipzig helped Aston Villa return to winning ways, and climb to fifth, after a draw with Juventus and a loss at Club Brugge had temporarily stalled their momentum. While dealing a blow to Leipzig, whose elimination was confirmed, the victory only added to the buzz around the club on their return to the competition. "It's exciting!" beamed goalscorer John McGinn. "We're taking each game as it comes, but if we get into the top eight, that's brilliant. That's the target now."

Did you know? Monaco have won 11 of their 21 meetings (D4 L6) with English sides in Uefa competitions.

S. Bratislava v Stuttgart (10:00pm CAT)

Slovan Bratislava can no longer secure a knockout phase place, but coach Vladimír Weiss is determined to make the most of their remaining league phase games. "We want to leave a good impression," he said following the 3-1 loss at Atleti that sealed their elimination.

There were positives to be taken from that performance, Weiss believing his side only lacked the precision finishing Julián Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann displayed at the other end. But having scored in their last three, they are slowly adding the finishing touches which could propel them to their first league phase points.

Stuttgart flipped the script on matchday 6, surging to a 5-1 win over Young Boys after suffering defeat by the same scoreline in their previous league phase match. Five different scorers were on target at Arena Stuttgart to secure their second win of the campaign, moving them 26th in the league phase table.

The pressure is on, but goalscorer Angelo Stiller believes that anything is possible ahead of two decisive matches. "It was like a dam breaking, with the euphoria that it set off among the fans," the midfielder said. "With them behind us, we are always a threat."

Did you know? This is the third meeting between S. Bratislava and Stuttgart in Uefa competitions, the German side winning on the road before drawing at home in two encounters in 2010.

Club Brugge v Juventus (10:00pm CAT)

A 2-0 home win over Juventus in April 1978 saw Club Brugge advance to that year's European Cup final, where they would be defeated 1-0 by Liverpool. The Belgian side have reason to be confident as they look to repeat that feat at Jan Breydelstadion in 2025.

Unbeaten in their last three, a 2-1 win over Sporting CP last time out places them 19th as they prepare for their final home game in the league phase. Coach Nicky Hayen voiced his pride after that important victory, but was quick to refocus. "We always want more," he said, echoing the defiance that helped Club Brugge shock the competition all those years ago.

More recent history is on the side of Juventus, who triumphed home and away against Club Brugge during the 2005/06 Champions League season, and their form is encouraging too. Juventus are also unbeaten in three, claiming a particularly impressive 2-0 win over Manchester City – Club Brugge's matchday 8 opponents – in their last outing. But with everything to play for as the inaugural league phase approaches its conclusion, coach Thiago Motta is refusing to let confidence become complacency. "It makes you more alert and more focused," he said of the new format. "You play against teams with very different styles and you have to prepare well for every game."

Did you know? Juventus have won eight of their 12 fixtures (D2 L2) against Belgian sides in Uefa competitions, their last defeat coming against Anderlecht in 1981.

Atletico v Leverkusen (10:00pm CAT)

Atleti earned their third consecutive league phase win on Matchday 6, defeating Slovan Bratislava 3-1 at the Estadio Metropolitano to climb to 11th. Diego Simeone's side are in sparkling domestic form too, having been at the top of the LaLiga tree over Christmas after a dramatic 2-1 triumph away at Barcelona on 21 December.

"The counterattack to win it was exquisite," remarked Simeone, who praised his team's ability to frustrate an expansive Barcelona side. Those tools may prove useful against Leverkusen, who have held 52.3 per cent possession on average during their league phase campaign and boast the second-highest passing accuracy (90.3 per cent) of any side.

 

 

Xabi Alonso's side have strong credentials when it comes to unlocking tough defences, though. Fourth-placed Leverkusen became the first team in the league phase to breach Inter's defence in their last match, Nordi Mukiele striking the game's lone goal in the 90th minute.

A fourth clean sheet – a number only matched or bettered by five other teams – provides further cause for optimism as they prepare to tussle with Atleti's star-studded attack. "We had to be on our guard the whole time," said midfielder Granit Xhaka.

Did you know? This is the 11th meeting between Atleti and Leverkusen in Uefa competitions, with the previous encounters perfectly split – three wins apiece to go along with four draws.

Benfica v Barcelona (10:00pm CAT)

A goal was the only thing missing from a strong Benfica performance against Bologna on matchday 6. "The ball didn't want to go in," sighed defender Nicolás Otamendi following the 0-0 draw in Lisbon which left them 15th.

A final home game of the league phase awaits them, but they must overcome second-placed Barcelona to bounce back. The visitors have the edge on current standing, but the hosts can take confidence from Barcelona's last visit to their stadium in the Champions League – a 3-0 Benfica win in September 2021.

Barcelona became the second side to confirm their place in the knockout phase on matchday 6, a double from substitute Ferran Torres helping them to a 3-2 victory in Dortmund.

Hansi Flick's side have won five consecutive games since their Matchday 1 defeat at Monaco, lead the competition in terms of goals scored (21) and only trail Liverpool in the league phase table. Nothing can be taken for granted, though, particularly amidst a dip in their domestic form. "We have two very tough final tasks ahead of us with Benfica and Atalanta," reminded winger Lamine Yamal at BVB Stadion Dortmund.

Did you know? Benfica and Barcelona have faced off in nine Uefa competition matches previously, with the Catalan club boasting the slightly stronger record (W3 D4 L2).

Liverpool v Lille (10:00pm CAT)

After missing from the spot against Real Madrid, Mohamed Salah sealed Liverpool's sixth league phase win with a precise second-half penalty in Girona. The Reds have not conceded since the third minute of their opening game against Milan but their latest win, at least according to Arne Slot, did not come without hints of vulnerability.

"Girona had a really good game plan today, but we had a really good goalkeeper," the Dutch coach said, underlining the crucial interventions made by the returning Alisson Becker.

Seven places behind the league leaders, Lille are another standout performer of the inaugural league phase. The French side's lone defeat came at Sporting CP on matchday 1 and they have since claimed four wins and a draw, including triumphs over Real Madrid and Atleti.

"These are moments in your career that you'll never forget," said defender Thomas Meunier after their most recent victory, a 3-2 win against a determined Sturm Graz. "This [campaign] has shown that we don't have to back down from anyone."

Did you know? These sides met in the Europa League round of 16 in 2010, a 3-0 win at Anfield securing progression for Liverpool after a 1-0 defeat in Lille.

Bologna v B. Dortmund (10:00pm CAT)

Bologna increased their points tally to two as they drew 0-0 away at Benfica on Matchday 6, meaning a knockout phase place remains a mathematical possibility despite sitting 33rd.

Vincenzo Italiano's side will have sights firmly set on a first league phase win and can take encouragement from a strong performance in Lisbon. "We needed time but we've grown and it's showing," said goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski.

A 3-2 defeat against Barcelona leaves Dortmund just short of the top eight places going into matchday 7, though they are only one point shy of third-placed Arsenal. After suffering the second defeat of his first season managing in the Champions League (to go along with four wins), Nuri Sahin cut a frustrated figure at the fulltime whistle. "We have to win these games and not make the mistakes we did," he said. "There is simply no room for error at this level."

Did you know? Bologna have drawn both of their previous meetings with German sides in Uefa competitions, drawing 0-0 and then 1-1 against Vorwärts Berlin in 1970.

Crvena Zvezda v PSV (10:00pm CAT)

After claiming their first win and first points of the league phase against Stuttgart on Matchday 5, only a late Tammy Abraham winner for Milan prevented Crvena Zvezda from adding to their tally last time out.

"If we play like we did today and against Stuttgart, we can win the two remaining games against PSV and Young Boys," said goalkeeper Ivan Guteša. Placed 31st ahead of their final home game of the league phase, but still in contention for the knockout phase, they will hope to vindicate that belief.

PSV's four-match unbeaten run was ended away at Brest after Julien Le Cardinal struck decisively in the first half.

"We were unrecognisable," rued forward Luuk de Jong after a disappointing performance. Peter Bosz's side have an even two wins, draws, and losses as they travel to Belgrade in 23rd place. Will they rediscover the form that powered them to consecutive wins prior to defeat in Guingamp? Bosz will certainly hope so after what he called "the worst match in my time as coach of PSV."

Did you know? This is the third Champions League meeting between these two sides, who traded home wins, including a 3-2 thriller in Belgrade, in 2004.

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