European Cup Matches Tonight: Chelsea v Barcelona & Additional Games
Greetings to another evening of thrilling European Cup soccer. Nine matches are scheduled for this evening, including three English clubs in action. Chelsea meet Barcelona in the standout fixture of the night, while The Magpies visit Marseille and Manchester City host Bayer Leverkusen.
League Table
It's the midway stage of the league stage, meaning the table is beginning to form. Each of the six English sides are currently in the upper twelve, however there are only two pts separating fifth and 16th position, so there's a hint of volatility about the whole thing. It’s all up for grabs.
Tonight’s Fixtures
These are this evening's matches, each kicking off at 8pm unless stated:
- Ajax 0-1 Benfica (17:45)
- Union SG and Galatasaray level at 0-0 (17:45)
- Bodo/Glimt v Juventus
- Barcelona take on Chelsea
- Dortmund v Villarreal
- Man City v Leverkusen
- Marseille v Newcastle
- Qarabag play Napoli
- Athletic Bilbao clash with Slavia Prague
Lineup Changes
Fofana, Moises Caicedo, Alejandro Garnacho, Gusto and Estevao join the Chelsea lineup. Excluded are Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos, Gittens, Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.
Yamal is in the starting lineup for Barcelona; Marcus Rashford is among the substitutes.
Chelsea (possible four-three-three) Robert Sanchez; Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Cucurella; Gusto, Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Estevao, Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho.
Subs: Jorgensen, Tosin Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Delap, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Andrey Santos, Joao Pedro, Jorrel Hato, George, Joshua Acheampong, Guiu, Facundo Buonanotte.
Barça (probable four-two-three-one): Joan Garcia; Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde; Garcia, Frenkie de Jong; Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Ferran Torres; Lewandowski.
Substitutes: Wojciech Szczesny, Kochen, Raphinha, Rashford, Andreas Christensen, Casado, Gerard, Olmo, Noah Darvich, Dario Fernandez, Roony Bardghji.
Official Slavko Vincic (Slovenian).
Past Meetings
The only previous meeting involving Newcastle and Marseille was the Europa League semifinal of 2004, claimed by an emerging superstar from Ivory Coast. Bayer Leverkusen and Manchester City have never met before. Chelsea and Barcelona have some past encounters.
Early Match Updates
Just one goal in the first half of the early fixtures. Samuel Dahl's sixth-minute goal has given Benfica under Mourinho a 1-0 advantage away to Ajax.
Newcastle’s Trip to Marseille
Even though The Magpies traveled to the south of France coming off their confidence-boosting two-one home Premier League victory over Manchester City on Saturday, and having beaten Union Saint-Gilloise, Benfica and Athletic Bilbao in the European Cup, their sole on the road win since the start of April came in the Belgian capital at Union Saint-Gilloise.
It's not that Eddie Howe was eager to talk about the mental side of this away form issue. “The Champions League is distinct from Premier League games,” said the manager, whose side are sixth in the European table, with nine pts from a available 12 and direct progression to the knockout phase nearly secured. “I am not sure if you can compare them.”
A dedicated live feed is available for Barcelona vs Chelsea. Murray, the MBM version of Maradona is on duty for that.