Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By DAN KARELL
Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League campaign began in less-than-convincing fashion, but their home opener in the 2014/2015 edition is a chance for them to turn their fortunes around.
The Gunners, who will be without stalwarts Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta due to muscular injuries, will take on Turkish giants Galatasaray at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, giving the hosts a chance to bring back some positive momentum to north London. Arsenal were dominated by Borussia Dortmund in match-day one as the Germans topped Arsenal, 2-0, at Signal Iduna Park.
Galatasaray meanwhile could only draw Anderlecht, 1-1, and will need a strong performance to prove that they deserve to advance from Group D.
Elsewhere, Spanish champions Atletico Madrid host Italian champions Juventus in a high-profile match-up in Madrid. Atleti were stunned in match-day one when Olympiacos beat Diego Simeone’s team, 3-2, but are coming off a dominate 4-0 victory last Saturday against Sevilla.
Juventus meanwhile have some difficult lineup decisions to make, with a matchup against renewed power AS Roma looming next Sunday.
Also in action on Wednesday, Real Madrid head off to Bulgaria to face minnows Ludogorets in front of a packed house in Sofia, Bulgaria, Liverpool hit the road to face FC Basel, Borussia Dortmund take on American Sacha Kljestan and Anderlecht, Olympiacos visit Malmo FF, FC Zenit host AS Monaco, and Bayer Leverkusen host Benfica.
Here’s a full list of today’s UCL action:
12 p.m. – Fox Soccer Plus/ESPN3 – FC Zenit vs. AS Monaco
2:45 p.m. – Fox Sports 1 – Arsenal vs. Galatasaray
2:45 p.m. – ESPN 2 – Atletico Madrid vs. Juventus
2:45 p.m. – Fox Sports 2 – FC Basel vs. Liverpool
2:45 p.m. – Fox Sports Net – Ludogorets vs. Real Madrid
2:45 p.m. – Fox Soccer Plus/ESPN3 – Bayer Leverkusen vs. Benfica
2:45 p.m. – Fox Soccer Plus/ESPN3 – Anderlecht vs. Borussia Dortmund
2:45 p.m. – Fox Soccer Plus/ESPN3 – Malmo vs. Olympiacos
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What do you think of today’s UCL matchups? Which games stand out the most to you?
Share your thoughts below.