Neymar vs Joshua Kimmich
The last time Neymar played a Champions League match at the Parc des Princes, he was on the losing side in a 4-0 defeat at the hands of PSG. He’ll hope to avoid a similar dishing out when Bayern make the trip to Paris in, arguably, the biggest game of the week. He missed the 0-0 draw with Montpellier at the weekend with a foot complaint, yet he is expected to recover in time for Wednesday’s meeting with the German champions. The 25-year-old has been in stunning form since his record-break move to Ligue 1 with five goals and four assists to his name.
However, by his usual high standards, Neymar disappointed on his last league outing, even if PSG came away with a 2-0 win over Lyon. The game is best remembered by the penalty controversy between the summer signing and striker Edinson Cavani, but even then Neymar failed to match expectations. It set the blueprint for how to keep the attacker at bay, which Joshua Kimmich has the means to do so in Paris. The young German, considered to be Philipp Lahm’s long-term replacement for club and country at right-back, has been in splendid form this season.
Indeed, he has been dribbled past the just once in six Bundesliga matches this campaign, with the 22-year-old’s defensive discipline and positional awareness two of his strongest qualities. That being said, Kimmich needs to be on top of his game to keep Neymar at bay this week. One lapse in concentration would see the flamboyant Brazilian hone in on goal against a Manuel Neuer-less Bayern backline, which could spell trouble for the Bavarian giants.
Anderson Talisca vs Diego Demme
He was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United over the summer, but a move to Old Trafford failed to materialise. United’s loss, though, is Besiktas’ gain, with Anderson Talisca enjoying a fine start to his second season in Turkey. The Brazilian got the ball rolling in Portugal last time out as Besiktas secured an impressive 3-1 win over FC Porto last time out in the Champions League. The youngster may have failed to have the desired impact against Fenerbahce at the weekend, yet is a handful on his day.
The Turkish champions will be hoping Talisca can run RB Leipzig rampant on Tuesday night, but much of that hinders on how the 23-year-old can get the better of Diego Demme for the German outfit. While much of the focus is on Naby Keita, Demme holds back to allow his Guinean teammate to burst forward, with the 25-year-old midfielder sitting to shield the defence. He’s second for passes per game (76.4) of all RB Leipzig players and has churned out averages of 2.4 tackles and 1.8 interceptions per game in the Bundesliga this season.
Much of RB Leipzig’s play goes through Demme in the midfield and keeping him quiet is crucial for Besiktas. Conversely, if Talisca’s influence is minimised, then the Turkish outfit lose a key attacker in their quest for victory. This one could be one of the more important on-pitch battles at the Vodafone Arena and one that may determine who comes out on top in midweek.
Saul Niguez vs N’Golo Kante
In what is expected to be a compact matchup at the Wanda Metropolitano, the winner of the midfield battle may well see his side earn a vital three points. Saul Niguez may have been shifted to the right for Atletico Madrid’s 0-0 draw in Roma, but the Spaniard could be moved into a more familiar central role on Wednesday night, with five of his six league starts coming in the middle of the park. Saul combines the ideal blend of off the ball tenacity with intelligence in possession, with the 22-year-old considered one of the best in his position in the country and rightly so.
He’ll need to be at his very best in Spain on Wednesday night when Chelsea make the trip to Madrid, particularly when on the ball, if he is to get the better of defensive lynchpin N’Golo Kante. The Frenchman ranks second for tackles (24) in the Premier League this season, with his determination to win possession endearing him to football fans. He acts almost as a magnet for the ball such is his fine reading of the game, so much so that Steve Walsh, then at Leicester, once quipped: “We play three in midfield: Danny Drinkwater in the centre, with Kante either side.”
If the Frenchman plays to his ball-winning best, then the chances of Chelsea conceding lessens considerably, particularly against the effective Saul. The young Atletico star, though, is one of the hardest players to shake off the ball and if he is given the space to utilise his creative qualities, then it could be a long evening for the Blues. If anything, should Kante excel, it’ll prevent all of us from reading the outdated ‘Better Call Saul’ tweets as and when the young Spain star shines.
@ChelseaFC
Objectif: garder le rythme avec 3 nouveaux points!
Christian Pulisic vs Nacho
Christian Pulisic may have struggled to make a lasting impression at Wembley on matchday one of the Champions League, but the teenager, nicknamed Captain America for good reason, is widely considered to be the next emerging superstar. Ousmane Dembele’s big money sale to Barcelona may have left a bitter taste in the mouth of Borussia Dortmund fans, but the Bundesliga side are still able to call upon their 19-year-old wing wizard to put opponents to the sword. Only Rennes star Ismaila Sarr (21) has completed more dribbles than Pulisic (15) of teenagers in Europe’s top five leagues this season, reinforcing the latter’s ability to ghost past opponents with ease.
However, after he struggled against Serge Aurier in Dortmund’s 3-1 loss to Tottenham, Pulisic needs to up the ante if he is to get the better of Nacho at the Westfalenstadion. The Real Madrid defender is expected to deputise for the injured Marcelo on Tuesday night and while he doesn’t offer the same attacking verve as his Brazilian teammate, the 27-year-old is still a handy squad player to call upon for Zinedine Zidane.
Nacho impressed in the 3-0 win over APOEL, though Real Madrid are now robbed of one of their key attacking outlets from deep. Despite his defensive solidity, the Spaniard is a centre-back by trade and despite his versatility, this could impact Los Blancos in their quest for victory in Germany. Pulisic has the attacking means to get the better of Nacho and if he is not kept in check, the American can enjoy a productive 90 minutes for Dortmund in midweek.
Bruno Fernandes vs Sergio Busquets
Bruno Fernandes’ move to Sporting Club was one of the less talked about moves in Europe, but the 23-year-old has thrived in Lisbon. Acquired from Sampdoria, Fernandes has established himself as one of Liga NOS’ best attacking outlets, netting five goals in seven appearances this season; only Jonas (8) and Vincent Aboubakar (7) have netted more in Portugal’s top tier. Nestling in behind Bas Dost in the number 10 role or in a deeper midfield position in Jorge Jesus’ 4-2-3-1 formation, the Portuguese midfielder’s runs from deep coupled with his goalscoring prowess means he is one any opponent needs to keep tabs on.
Keeping him quiet will likely fall upon Sergio Busquets’ shoulders, though the Spaniard is experienced enough to know the demands that comes with dealing with Europe’s best attackers. Having started the 3-0 win over Girona on the bench, Busquets is well rested coming into this clash, yet needs to be on top of his game to ensure Fernandes doesn’t have space to bare down on Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s goal. That being said, Busquets is top for tackles per game (2) and fourth for interceptions per game (1.5) of all Barcelona players in La Liga this season, with his defensive discipline routinely tested, though the Spain international often passes with flying colours.
However, a failure to keep Fernandes in check could have dire consequences. Of the five goals he has scored, four have come from outside of the box - more than 17 of the 18 teams in Liga NOS this season - and if allowed to test Ter Stegen from distance, the Sporting star has the goalscoring means to really trouble the German. As such, an upset in Lisbon could well be on the cards.
