The UEFA Champions League returns for Matchday 3 of the 2024-25 season, and football fans are in for a treat as 18 teams prepare to take the stage for the next round of exciting matchups.
With thrilling contests and crucial points up for grabs, this round promises plenty of drama, goals, and moments of magic.
From Manchester City’s relentless unbeaten run to Barcelona’s clash with their biggest Champions League rivals Bayern Munich, this matchday is set to shake up the standings in the new league phase format.
Atalanta vs Celtic (Kick-off: 18:45 CAT)
Celtic will be looking to bounce back from their 7-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund when they visit Atalanta in Bergamo. Celtic’s campaign began on a high with a 5-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava, but their confidence took a hit after that humbling loss in Germany. Captain Callum McGregor emphasized the importance of learning from the defeat, saying, “We need to use it as an experience.”
Atalanta, fresh off a comfortable 3-0 win against Shakhtar Donetsk, currently have four points from their first two matches and look to continue their good form. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side has only lost two of their last 16 UEFA competition matches, making them a formidable opponent. They will be eager to secure all three points and move closer to the top tier of the standings.
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Brest vs Bayer Leverkusen (Kick-off: 18:45 CAT)
In their debut Champions League season, Brest have surprised everyone with an incredible start. The French side sits second in their group after two victories, including an emphatic 4-0 win over Salzburg, which set a record for the biggest win by a French club in Austria. Marco Bizot, Brest’s goalkeeper, praised his team’s performances, saying, “We dreamed of a start like this.”
However, their toughest test awaits as they face Bayer Leverkusen, who are unbeaten in the competition so far. Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen has shown they can win tough matches, having defeated AC Milan and Feyenoord. Alonso highlighted the importance of fighting for every result, stating, “In the Champions League, you have to know how to suffer.”
Manchester City vs Sparta Prague
Manchester City will host Sparta Prague at the Etihad Stadium, with both teams sitting on four points. City’s 4-0 victory over Slovan Bratislava last time out demonstrated their clinical nature, with Pep Guardiola’s side now unbeaten in 25 Champions League matches, matching Manchester United’s record. Guardiola’s men are aiming for another dominant performance at home as they look to climb to the top of the group standings.
Sparta Prague, meanwhile, have performed admirably in their league phase debut, with four points from their opening two games. Coach Lars Friis acknowledged the difficulty of playing against Europe’s elite but was pleased with his team’s effort. “We play one top team after another, and we are happy with our results so far,” Friis said.
Leipzig vs Liverpool
Liverpool are riding high after back-to-back wins against Italian opposition and will travel to Leipzig in search of their third straight victory. Mohamed Salah reflected on Liverpool’s strong start to the Champions League, emphasizing the importance of maintaining consistency. “It’s a good start, but it’s early days. We take it one game at a time,” Salah said.
On the other side, Leipzig have struggled to find their footing in the competition, suffering defeats to Atlético Madrid and Juventus. Coach Marco Rose hopes to channel his team’s disappointment into a motivated performance, noting, “At this level, you really cannot allow yourself a moment of weakness.”
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Barcelona vs Bayern Munich
In what is undoubtedly the standout fixture of Champions League Matchday 3, Barcelona will host Bayern Munich in a highly anticipated clash. Barcelona bounced back from their opening loss to Monaco with a comprehensive victory over Young Boys but will need to be at their very best to overcome Bayern. The German giants have won their last six meetings against Barcelona, including a humiliating 8-2 win in 2020.
Bayern, however, are coming off a rare Champions League defeat to Aston Villa, ending a 41-match unbeaten streak in the group stage. Coach Vincent Kompany acknowledged the mistakes made in the Villa game, and midfielder Joshua Kimmich stressed the need for improvement. “We didn’t play our game 100 per cent,” Kimmich said, highlighting their desire to return to winning ways.
Atlético Madrid vs Lille
Atlético Madrid and Lille enter Champions League Matchday 3 with contrasting fortunes. Atlético suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat to Benfica, their worst result in recent memory, leaving coach Diego Simeone with plenty to think about. Goalkeeper Jan Oblak called the game “the worst of the season” and urged his teammates to bounce back against Lille.
Lille, on the other hand, are riding high after a stunning 1-0 win over Real Madrid, and coach Bruno Génésio is eager to build on that success. “These are the moments that make this sport so beautiful,” he said. Lille will be aiming for back-to-back wins when they visit Madrid.
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Other Key Fixtures to Watch:
- Benfica vs Feyenoord: Benfica are flying high after their 4-0 win against Atlético, while Feyenoord will look to build on their 3-2 victory over Girona.
- Salzburg vs GNK Dinamo: Salzburg are in desperate need of a win after two straight defeats, while GNK Dinamo is hoping to carry the momentum from their 2-2 draw with Monaco.
- Young Boys vs Inter: Young Boys will try to recover from their 5-0 thrashing by Barcelona, while Inter aim to continue their strong start to the campaign.
