Five talking points ahead of the Champions League action | OneFootball

Five talking points ahead of the Champions League action, featuring Real Madrid vs Juventus and a ‘Little Magpie’ arriving at St James’ Park.

Atletico offer test of Arsenal resolve

Arsenal remain the best-drilled defensive unit in European football, with the Gunners having conceded just one open-play goal in eight Premier League games.

The North Londoners have not even allowed a shot on target in their last two, while in Europe their record has been similarly impressive, as one of two teams yet to concede a goal in the Champions League this season.

Mikel Arteta’s team will face a real test of their defensive strength this week, when Atletico Madrid arrive in London. The Spanish side have scored in all 11 games this season, including twice at Liverpool on matchday one.

Julian Alvarez will lead their threat, while Alexander Sorloth offers a different, but threatening, profile. However, Atleti have been poor travellers this season, failing to win in five games on the road in 2025/26.

Minnows collide in Kazakhstan

The Champions League might be about the giants of the European game, but a clash in Kazakhstan this week offers intrigue. Debutants Kairat and Pafos go head-to-head, each seeking a first-ever win at his level.

Kairat have fallen to consecutive heavy defeats and prop up the league phase table, while Pafos were given a reality check by Bayern Munich (0-5) on matchday two, having battled to a goalless draw at Olympiacos in their opener.

Neither side are expected to challenge for the knockout rounds, but the new format at least offers each a chance to taste Champions League victory.

‘Little Magpie’ arrives at St James’ Park

For the second time already this season, Jose Mourinho returns to England for a Champions League fixture. Mourinho saw his Benfica side edged 1-0 by former club Chelsea last time out and now faces another team with which he has an affinity.

Despite having never worked for Newcastle, the ‘Special One’ has admitted he feels a ‘connection’ with the club due to Sir Bobby Robson, the ex-Newcastle boss who gave him his first opportunity in coaching.

Speaking to Sky Sports News in 2020, Mourinho said: “It’s a club I feel connection with because of Mr Robson, it’s a simple as that.

“He had a huge passion for Newcastle, and his area, Durham. He had it in his heart. So, through him I have become a little magpie!”

Mourinho, however, will need to overcome a poor record at St James’ Park. His only Premier League victory at the ground came as Spurs manager in behind-closed-doors clash in 2020, while he’s won just three of 12 visits in all competitions.

Ekitike faces Frankfurt reunion

Hugo Ekitike will return to Eintracht Frankfurt this week for the first time as a Liverpool player. The Frenchman left Frankfurt for Anfield in the summer, moving to Merseyside for an initial fee of £69m. The move materialised after an excellent campaign last term, where Ekitike scored 22 goals in 48 games for the Bundesliga side.

Ekitike is likely to be given the nod to start in Germany, having begun the last two league games on the bench despite his impressive start at Liverpool. With Alexander Isak yet to hit his stride, the onus will be on the 23-year-old to fire Liverpool out of their recent slump.

Frankfurt pose an unpredictable test for Arne Slot’s out-of-form side, having started the Champions League season with a 5-1 win (Galatasaray) and 5-1 defeat (Atletico Madrid).

Old rivals meet again in glamour tie

Real Madrid and Juventus lock horns as two of Europe’s proudest club sides meet at the Bernabeu.

The most successful sides in Spain and Italy respectively, it will be the 22nd meeting in this competition, the second-most regular fixture behind only Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid. That head-to-head also includes two finals, with Madrid victorious in both 1998 and 2015.

Xabi Alonso’s side will start as favourites with Juventus without a win in six across all competitions. However, the Old Lady have the tools to trouble their La Liga rivals.

Read – The longest losing runs by reigning Premier League champions

See more – Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend

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