From February 21st to the early morning of the 22nd Beijing time, the second week of the first leg of the first quarter of the 2023 Champions League 24 season will start this week. Le Sweet Candy, Newcastle Fun Infinite Fun Tottenham, Le Feixiang Fun Dream.
PSV PSV Eindhoven vs Borussia Dortmund.
So far, PSV Eindhoven, who are playing at home in this game, are as many as 10 points ahead of second place in the Eredivisie, and it can be said that the league title is already nine out of ten, and the team's current focus is on whether they can break into the quarterfinals of the Champions League or beyond. Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, are currently fourth in the Bundesliga and are only one point ahead of RB Leipzig behind them.
The two sides have met twice in the history of the Champions League, with Dortmund winning 1 and drawing 1 to remain unbeaten, but the last time they met in this arena was back in 2002, so there is not much reference value. In terms of injuries, PSV Eindhoven will be available for all but Tier, while the Hornets will be without Bensebaini, Adeyemi and Nmega.
*: PSV Eindhoven are unbeaten at home.
Inter Milan vs Atletico Madrid.
The two teams are the most watched matchups in this series of matchups, and the strength of the two teams is also very close, except for Simeone leading the team against the old master. Inter Milan are currently a wide margin in Serie A, with a nine-point lead with a game in hand, Juventus and AC Milan behind them are already weak, and Inzaghi's side are on the rise. Atletico Madrid is ranked 4th in La Liga, and their league form has dropped significantly this season, and they are currently only 2 points ahead of Athletic Bilbao in 5th.
The two sides have only met once in European history, in the 2010 UEFA Super Cup, when Champions League winners Inter Milan lost 2-0 to Europa League winners Atletico Madrid. Only Cuadrado is out of the squad for Inter Milan, while Atletico will be without Gabriel Paulista, Cesar Azpilicueta and Lemar, with Alvaro Morata also in the picture.
*: Inter Milan win at home.
Napoli vs Barcelona.
The reigning Serie A champions have been on a slippery slope in the league this season, currently sitting in ninth place in the table after 24 rounds, as many as nine points clear of the Champions League places, and there have been discordant voices both inside and outside the stadium. Barcelona as last season's La Liga champions are also unsatisfactory this season, currently in third place in La Liga, eight points away from Real Madrid, and have basically withdrawn from the league title, and the team needs to focus more on the Champions League.
The two sides have met four times in European history, with Barcelona winning two and drawing two to remain unbeaten. The last time the two sides played at home to Napoli was in the 2021 22 Europa League knockout play-offs, with Barcelona four beating Napoli 4-2 away. Napoli will be without leading goalscorer Osimhen for this game, while Barcelona will miss Roberto, Alonso, Felix, Gavi, Ferran Torres and Balde with injuries.
*: Barcelona won away from home, and the draw was prevented.
Porto vs Arsenal.
Porto are currently third in the Portuguese Super League, seven points clear of the two teams in the Champions League places, and with the knockout draw drawing drawing against an in-form Arsenal, how to secure a Champions League qualification in the league is their top priority. Arsenal are currently two points behind Liverpool in the league and a two-point title run will be the goal of Mikel Arteta's side.
The two sides have met six times in European history, with Arsenal winning three, Porto winning two of them and drawing one. The last time the two sides met in Europe was back in 2010, also in the round of 16, when Arsenal thrashed Porto by five goals at home. Porto will be without leading scorer Taremi and veteran Marcano, while Arsenal will be sidelined with Timber, Thomas, Tomiyasu, Fabio Vieira, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
*: Arsenal win away.