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On Tuesday, after a short break, the UEFA Champions League tournament returns to European football stadiums and our TV screens. Sixteen teams will compete in eight matches in the third round of the competition.
Three of them - BATE Borisov, Manchester United, and Barcelona - have so far celebrated only victories in the tournament and will try to extend their excellent streaks.
The first match - Moscow's Spartak against Lisbon's Benfica - at 19:00, the others at 21:45.
Group E:
Donetsk's Shakhtar - London's Chelsea. The group leaders after two rounds meet in Ukraine, where it is always difficult to play. A victory for both clubs would almost secure at least the second place in the group, and knowing that Juventus is also playing in this group, the price of three points is even higher.
Nordsjaelland - Turin's Juventus. Italians Buffon and Vucinic, who have been undefeated this year, will try to mark their return with a victory. Especially since their Juventus has not yet won in the Champions League, and is already two points behind the mentioned leaders. A draw would be equal to a loss.
Group F:
BATE Borisov - Valencia. The Belarusian club is currently surprising everyone - a victory away against Bayern raised them to the top of the group. Don't be surprised if the Spaniards leave Minsk on Tuesday without points.
Lille - Munich's Bayern. The Bavarians, who have won 9 out of 9 possible games in the Bundesliga this year, are stuck in the Champions League. Although it is still very early to draw conclusions in this group, a loss for the French would practically mean the end of the tournament, so they will surely fight.
Group G:
Moscow's Spartak - Lisbon's Benfica. The Moscow footballers who have suffered two defeats will lack a gap and will have to fight for a victory to have a chance to advance to the next stage. No less important is the victory for Benfica, who have only one point. The duel could determine which team will remain last in the group.
Barcelona - Glasgow's Celtic. The Scots achieved their first victory in the Champions League away from home in the team's history in the last round in Russia, but the Catalans have not lost at home in 17 tournament matches already. Lionel Messi will surely try to score his 300th career goal and give the team a victory.
Group H:
Manchester United - Sporting Braga. The Red Devils have been doing well so far in the Champions League and in matches against Portuguese clubs (14 wins in 23 matches), so at home the English should definitely secure a victory.
Istanbul's Galatasaray - Cluj CFR. Cluj footballers, participating in the tournament for the third time, are currently in a good position. If the Istanbul club, which last week sent 13 footballers to the national teams, fails to secure at least a draw, they will practically say goodbye to the tournament.
