The UEFA Champions League reaches matchday six with Arsenal standing alone as the only unbeaten side, having taken maximum points from their opening five fixtures.
Behind them, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Liverpool, PSV and Sporting Lisbon headline a tightly packed table as Europe’s new league-format enters its decisive phase.
Bayern Munich host Sporting Lisbon in one of the round’s most intriguing contests. Bayern slipped to their first defeat of the campaign against Arsenal but have responded with three straight wins and 11 goals scored. Sporting, sitting eighth, arrive unbeaten in five and fresh off a 3–0 victory over Club Brugge, setting up a far more competitive meeting than their famously lopsided 2009 tie.
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Atalanta vs Chelsea brings together two sides level on 10 points but trending inconsistently. Chelsea stunned Barcelona 3–0 in their last Champions League outing but have gone three matches without a win since. Atalanta, meanwhile, were beaten 3–1 by Verona at the weekend and will hope to reset in Europe.
Inter Milan’s clash with Liverpool carries major implications for both clubs. Inter sit fourth and have scored 11 goals across their last three matches, while Liverpool, in 13th, have managed only one win in five across all competitions and were hammered 4–1 by PSV on matchday five. Inter need a result to keep pace at the top; Liverpool need one to stay alive.
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Barcelona, 18th on seven points, face Eintracht Frankfurt needing stability after back-to-back Champions League games without a win. Frankfurt were thrashed 6–0 by Leipzig and remain in 28th, giving Xavi’s side a chance to reset.
PSV vs Atletico Madrid closes out Tuesday’s standout fixtures, with the Dutch side on a five-match winning run and Atletico arriving off consecutive league defeats.
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