A more natural neutral for Klopp and Mbappe stealing the so-called Messi show. Later to night Dortmund visit Sevilla and can Porto surprise Pirlo’s Juventus?
The opening night brought nothing short of excitement as neutral ground became all natural for the Reds when two costly Leipzig mishaps gave Liverpool a two-goal buffer in the first leg; Messi’s Barca in tatters but an emphatic Mbappe display and his seventh career hat-trick came at the home of the Catalans. Andriy Shevchenko the last player to score a hat-trick at the Camp Nou in 1997 – this reads badly for Ronald Koeman.
Sevilla vs Dortmund
Dortmund lock horns with Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. The home side has been superb domestically with nine straight wins and seven clean sheets to add to that record. This bodes well for Lopetegui’s well-disciplined defense. He highlighted in his presser the many chances Dortmund create and will have devised the perfect strategy to halt this progress.
He also will be aware of the forward threat in Haaland, Sancho and Reus and must clip their wings before they run riot over his side. He can also boast of great forward potential in Papu Gomez, Suso and Moroccan international, En Nesyri.
Dortmund on one hand, has had contrasting results and their form domestically has been poor. The lack of consistency in results is a real bother for the German outfit and is so expected of a particularly young side. Roman Burki will not be between the sticks for them but old head, Matt Hummels can marshal this team to victory tonight if the right things are done.
Porto vs Juventus
A defeat to Napoli became their third loss since December but their impermeable defense has considered just two goals in eight games in all competitions. This will be key for them going into this fixture. Ronaldo loves scoring against Porto and the Bianconeri will be depending on him to get them through. Porto is the only team in the CL this season yet to concede a goal at home and have kept five clean sheets in their last five games at home as well.
Pirlo will want to keep the good record against the Portuguese side as they have never lost to Porto in five previous encounters. It would be very much unwise to underrate the champions of the Primeira Liga as they do have a strong team. The core of this team has come from having to keep most of its important players. Ronaldo’s old teammate, Pepe, Jesus Corona and Moussa Marega must be at their utmost best to be able to clinch something for their side.
Ronaldo has been magnificent and Morata, Chiesa, and US international, McKinnie have been supportive, and Pirlo can turn on them to deliver. Dybala, Cuadrado and Ramsey will be major absentees for the old ladies.
All Games 20:00 GMT
Good analysis
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