Champions League Fixtures Tonight: Marseille v Newcastle & More
Greetings to a fresh night of electrifying Champions League football. 9 games are planned for this evening, featuring 3 English teams in action. Chelsea face Barça in the standout match of the evening, while Newcastle travel to Marseille and City host Bayer Leverkusen.
Current Standings
We're at the midway point of the league stage, so the rankings is starting to take shape. All six English sides are currently in the top 12, but there are only 2 pts separating 5th and 16th position, so there's a whiff of uncertainty about the entire situation. All remains open.
Tonight’s Fixtures
These are this evening's games, all kicking off at 8:00 PM except where noted:
- Ajax 0-1 Benfica (5.45pm)
- Union SG and Galatasaray level at 0-0 (17:45)
- Juventus face Bodo/Glimt
- Barcelona take on Chelsea
- Villarreal meet Dortmund
- Man City v Leverkusen
- Marseille v Newcastle
- Napoli v Qarabag
- Athletic Bilbao clash with Slavia Prague
Squad Updates
Wesley Fofana, Caicedo, Alejandro Garnacho, Malo Gusto and Estevao are included in the Blues team. Excluded are Tosin Adarabioyo, Santos, Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro and Delap.
Yamal is in the starting lineup for Barça; Rashford is on the bench.
Chelsea (possible four-three-three) Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Malo Gusto, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Estevao, Neto, Garnacho.
Substitutes: Kjell Scherpen, Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Liam Delap, Bynoe-Gittens, Santos, Joao Pedro, Jorrel Hato, Leo George, Acheampong, Guiu, Buonanotte.
Barça (probable four-two-three-one): Joan Garcia; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde; Garcia, Frenkie de Jong; Lamine Yamal, Lopez, Torres; Lewandowski.
Subs: Wojciech Szczesny, Kochen, Raphinha, Rashford, Andreas Christensen, Marc Casado, Gerard, Dani Olmo, Noah Darvich, Dro Fernandez, Roony Bardghji.
Referee Vincic (Slovenia).
Historical Context
The only previous meeting between Newcastle and Marseille was the Uefa Cup semi-final of 2004, claimed by an emerging star from Côte d'Ivoire. Manchester City and Bayer Leverkusen have not faced each other previously. Chelsea and Barcelona have some past encounters.
Early Match Updates
Only a single goal during the opening period of the early fixtures. Dahl's 6th-minute strike has given Benfica under Mourinho a one-nil advantage at Ajax.
Newcastle’s Trip to Marseille
Even though Newcastle arrived in the French south fresh from their restorative two-one home Premier League win against Manchester City on Saturday, and having beaten Union SG, the Portuguese side and Athletic Bilbao in the European Cup, their only on the road victory since the start of April came in Brussels at Union SG.
It's not that Eddie Howe was overly keen to discuss the mental side of this away form issue. “The European Cup is distinct from domestic games,” said the coach, whose side are sixth in the Champions League standings, with nine pts from a available 12 and automatic progression to the last 16 almost within touching distance. “I am not sure if you can compare them.”
We have a separate live blog for Barcelona vs Chelsea. Scott Murray, the MBM version of Diego Maradona is on duty for that.