Five talking points ahead of the Champions League action

Five talking points ahead of matchday two in the Champions League, featuring the return of classic Italian football and Aston Villa’s memorable rematch.

Five talking points ahead of the Champions League action

Arsenal and PSG look to lose unwanted tag

Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in arguably the most high-profile fixture of matchday two, as two heavily fancied teams meet at the Emirates. For Arsenal, it’s a second successive season in the Champions League after a long absence, while PSG reached a third semi-final in five seasons last time out.

Their modern histories have seen both teams flatter to deceive on the Champions League stage. Arsenal’s iconic sides of the early noughties failed to get over the line in Europe, while PSG’s expensive quest for Champions League success has often fallen short.

No side has played more Champions League games without winning the competition than Arsenal (188). Next on the list, is Paris Saint-Germain (150). How both teams would love to end that this season. After strong starts domestically, their match-up this week will be a good indicator of their credentials.

Welcome back to the big time, Aston Villa

Aston Villa will want to make the most of their Champions League campaign after returning to UEFA’s top club competition for the first time in 41 years this season. Unai Emery’s team made a strong start with a comfortable win at Young Boys but matchday two brings Villa their first real taste of the European elite.

Bayern Munich visit Villa Park in what promises to be a raucous home atmosphere. It’s a fixture with fond memories for The Villans, with the only previous meeting between the teams being the 1982 European Cup final.

Peter Withe’s famous goal crowned Aston Villa champions of England in Rotterdam, continuing England’s dominance of the trophy. There will no doubt be nostalgic looks back at that contest this week, as big-time football returns to the Midlands.

How far can Leverkusen go?

It seems odd to label the unbeaten German double-winners as a ‘dark horse’ for the Champions League, but few have backed Bayer Leverkusen to upset the odds this season. Xabi Alonso masterminded a historic season for Leverkusen last term, as Die Werkself won the Bundesliga for the first time without losing a game.

Leverkusen have kept their title-winning team together and started the Champions League with a bang last time out. Florian Wirtz scored twice in a 4-0 thrashing of Feyenoord at De Kuip, a perfect start to their continental challenge.

AC Milan are the visitors to the BayArena on matchday two, before a trip to debutants Brest before the end of the month. Maximum points from those games will set the stage perfectly for a clash against Liverpool at Anfield on November 5.

In the 21st century, there have only been two first-time winners of the Champions League.

Can Celtic expose Dortmund defence?

There’s not been much to celebrate for Celtic in European football recently. It’s been four years since the Scottish champions reached the knockout rounds of continental competition, while successive Champion League campaigns have ended with The Bhoys bottom of the group.

The new format has offered encouragement for Celtic, who started spectacularly on matchday one with a 5-1 thrashing of Slovan Bratislava. Brendan Rodgers’ side have been in free-scoring form of late with 16 goals in three games, following a 6-0 win at St Johnstone at the weekend that saw Kyogo Furuhashi score twice.

The standard of opposition steps up this week as Celtic travel to Dortmund, who also won on matchday one. However, Nuri Sahin’s reign has not begun convincingly and Dortmund have looked vulnerable defensively.

After being thrashed 5-1 by Stuttgart, Sahin’s side trailed 2-0 inside 21 minutes against Bochum on Friday, before Serhou Guirassy scored twice to inspire a comeback win. Celtic can take confidence from those performances.

Paul Lambert: Exclusive interview with the Celtic and Dortmund icon

Is Serie A solidity back?

Italian teams have boasted resolute reputations for as long as football can remember. The birthplace of Catenaccio, some of the greatest Serie A teams of all time have been built around nullifying opponents.

It’s been almost 15 years since an Italian side last won the Champions League, with England, Spain and Germany dominating the competition since Jose Mourinho led Inter Milan to the trophy in 2009/10. Serie A sides have lost three finals since but started each of those as underdogs pre-game.

Inter showed their credentials by frustrating Manchester City on matchday one, while Juventus began the league phase with three points after beating PSV Eindhoven. The latter have six straight clean sheets in Serie A this season and are the only team in Europe’s top five leagues not to concede a goal.

Is classic Italian football back?

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