Spurs, City to kickstart Euopean campaign
TOTTENHAM Hotspur and Manchester City look to get their Champions League campaigns on the winning track following opening losses while Manchester United are also under pressure going into their clash with Valencia.
City travel to Germany to face Hoffenheim tonight while Tottenham welcome an off-form Barcelona to Wembley Stadium tomorrow.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has a bit of an injury crisis after Dele Alli sat out Saturday’s win over Huddersfield during which Jan Vertonghen and Moussa Dembele both picked up injuries.
“We need to assess Jan and Mousa in the next few days, we’ll see what happens,” Pochettino said, adding about Alli that the club will need to “see when it’s possible for him to come back.”
Spurs were defeated at Inter Milan, who now meet PSV Eindhoven, in the opening Group B game and now host a Barca side winless in three.
‘We know we have to be stronger defensively,” Lionel Messi said. “Last season we were difficult to score against and now teams score against us from the slightest chance. We have to get better.”
City were stunned at home to Lyon to start Group F but have been impressive domestically before heading to Hoffenheim.
“Our profession is so demanding, we have to do our best every single day,” coach Pep Guardiola said. “I want all of my players to be focused.”
Hoffenheim drew at Shakhtar Donetsk, who next head to Lyon, in their group stage debut.
Man United meanwhile host Valencia having won away to Young Boys last time but League Cup elimination and another to defeat West Ham on Saturday keeps them under pressure.
Juventus host the Swiss side in the other Group H game without Cristiano Ronaldo, suspended after being sent off at Valencia.
Liverpool are looking to bounce back against Napoli in Group C after losing to Chelsea in the League Cup and drawing in the league.
Paris Saint-Germain, who lost at Anfield on the opening day, host Red Star Belgrade. Roma hope to escape bottom place in Group G as they welcome Viktoria Plzen.
Leaders Real Madrid travel to CSKA Moscow without four of their most important players.
Gareth Bale has an abductor injury, Isco is still recovering from Appendicitis, Marcelo has a calf problem and Sergio Ramos has been rested after playing thee games in seven days.
“We are making a lot of opportunities and if that stays the case then I am sure the goals will come,” coach Julen Lopetegui said.
Bundesliga record champions Bayern Munich welcome Ajax in Group E. Benfica travel to AEK Athens while new German leaders Borussia Dortmund host Monaco in Group A while Atletico Madrid are without Stefan Savic and midfielder Gelson Martins to meet Club Brugge.
And in Group D, Schalke make the long trip to Lokomotiv Moscow as Porto host Galatasaray. Reuters