November 23, (THEWILL) – The UEFA Champions League returns on Tuesday with matchday five of group games.
In the early kickoff, Dynamo Kiev will aim to avoid an onslaught at the hands of the ruthless German machines, Bayern Munich, while Manchester United and Barcelona will be hoping for a comeback against Villarreal away and Benfica at home, respectively, as they begin a new managerial dispensation.
The highlight of Tuesday’s schedule is the top-of-the-table Group H meeting between Juventus and UCL holders Chelsea, which will be a battle between Massimiliano Allegri’s surging charges and Thomas Tuchel’s defensive bulwark.
THEWILL previews these games, which are some of the exciting matchups to anticipate in an evening of elite European football.
Dynamo Kiev Versus Bayern Munich – 6:45pm
Bayern Munich go to Dynamo Kiev for a Group E match on Tuesday, having already qualified for the final 16 of the Champions League. Julian Nagelsmann’s team leads the standings with 12 points from a possible 12, while the Ukrainian hosts are in last place with just one point.
The 16-time Ukrainian winners have only won one of their previous ten Champions League games, and Lucescu will not be hoping for a surprise here, even if Bayern have already qualified for the next round.
Bayern Munich’s unrivalled ruthlessness has been on display for several years, and Nagelsmann’s side needed no second invitation to sweep aside the competition in Group E and cruise into the last 16 for the 14th consecutive year. In September, Bayern Munich defeated Dynamo Kiev by five unanswered goals.
Villarreal Versus Manchester United – 6:45pm
After Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking as Manchester United’s head coach was revealed on Sunday morning, Michael Carrick will lead the team into Tuesday’s Champions League match against Villarreal.
Man United knows that a win over the Yellow Submarine will secure their place in the competition’s knockout round with a game to spare, but a loss will leave them vulnerable in Group F.
The Red Devils have a chance finish in the top four this season, and they are on track to reach the Champions League knockout stage if they can pull that off with victory over Unai Emery’s side.
Barcelona Versus Benfica – 9 pm
Barcelona welcomes Benfica to Camp Nou on Tuesday evening in the hopes of securing a place in the Champions League’s last 16 round. The Catalan giants will be hoping that lightning does not strike twice against Jorge Jesus’s side, who defeated Barca 3-0 in their previous Group E meeting.
Barcelona is crawling to the finish line compared to Bayern Munich, but all three points in front of their home fans will assure them a place in the knockout stages.
Despite capturing the eye with a 3-0 thumping of Barcelona on matchday two, Benfica’s chances of making the Champions League knockout rounds are hanging by a thread after a pair of devastating defeats at the hands of Bayern Munich.
Chelsea Versus Juventus – 9 pm
Chelsea and Juventus, the unbeaten leaders in Group H, face off in London on Tuesday for supremacy in their Champions League group. The hosts and defending champions are just a point away from cementing their position in the knockout stages.
Chelsea have only lost one game so far, a 1-0 Juventus victory at the Allianz Stadium in September and their defensive solidity has been such that they are yet to concede more than once in any game during the 2021/2022 campaign.
Juventus, in stark contrast to their inconsistent domestic play, sit atop Group H with a perfect record, having won both games against Zenit St Petersburg earlier this month.
That will see them go to England with some well-earned confidence, especially as they have gone undefeated in five games since an infamous 4-1 Europa League loss to Chelsea’s west London rivals Fulham in 2010.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
