Champions League: PSG-Barcelona super show, Italians looking for redemption

Dembelè against Yamal, Kane against Gyokeres. The Champions League dresses up to make room for PSG-Barcelona and Bayern-Arsenal, who could easily find themselves fighting in the next semi-finals due to their merits and titles. But for now it's only the third round. In the meantime, a week after the shame of four simultaneous knockouts (six in eight Champions League matches including the first round), Italian football is trying to start again, to get back in the running at least for the play-offs.

Three matches out of four, at home, seem tailor-made for victory: Inter and Roma are clear favorites over Shakhtar and Slovan Bratislava, last in the standings. The large victories over Bologna and Genoa give the boost. Inter continues to do without Lautaro, Roma relies on super Malen after the mockery with Real. A Napoli in crisis (5 knockouts in 9 matches) must have some more attention against the Norwegians of Bodo. Allegri, however, is now not in the balance, also due to his super salary (at least until Saturday's match against Roma), and is hoping for Hojlund's goals and De Bruyne's redemption after the heavy missed penalty.

Como's task in the illustrious Old Trafford den (the 'theatre of dreams') of Manchester United is more difficult, but they have not won in six matches. But Fabregas' team showed signs of recovery by winning comfortably in Florence. Opponents not to be underestimated in the other cups for the Italian winners last week: Juve can have Rennes at their disposal, if they manage to free themselves from the psychological weight of the tough defeat against Lazio and the cracks that seem to be opening between Spalletti and the dressing room. Milan and Atalanta will have to work hard to contain the outbursts of Bournemouth and Ajax and in the meantime the Rossoneri won in the direct match, containing the comeback attempts of the Bergamo team.

But what promises excitement for Champions League lovers are above all two clashes between the big names in Europe, PSG-Barcelona and Bayern-Arsenal. The Parisians and Catalans are currently the two most complete teams on the international scene. Luis Enrique continues to make a ferocious turnover in Ligue1 but when Dembele', Doue' and Kvara enter, PSG returns to being the goal machine that crushed Manchester City at home. Now the task is even more complicated because the Blaugrana are arriving at the Parc des Princes, having overwhelmed the fourth strength of the Liga, Betis, 5-2 at home on Saturday. Barca have full points and have scored 39 goals in 9 goals, average 4.3. Flick expertly manages a group that includes Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo with Yamal. Parterre de roi also at the Bayern Arena. The Bavarians have also started to march again in the Bundesliga, they overwhelmed Leipzig, who are competing in the Champions League, 6-1, with a hat-trick from Luis Diaz who plays alongside two phenomena, Kane and Olise who, disqualified after being sent off in the 3-3 draw with Viking, will be replaced by Karl. Arsenal are chasing City in the Premier League and yesterday they kept their distance with a tiring victory in Nottingham. Last year's unlucky finalists have full points and remain among the favourites.

Among the other most interesting matches, Real Madrid and Liverpool will have to deal with Leipzig and Villarreal while Manchester City, with full points in the Premier League, is favored over Aek Athens. But fans' apprehension is growing over developments in the dispute over financial violations.

In the Europa League, the spotlight is on Hoffenheim-Lyon and Besiktas-Crystal Palace.

In the Conference, Munich-Fribourg and Braga-Ghent stand out.