With group shaping games ahead of them, Liverpool and Arsenal stars are included in top six players to watch out for this week in the Champions League…
With Liverpool hosting Real Madrid, Manchester City on their way to Russia, and Arsenal looking to get their season back on track in Belgium, the third set of Champions League fixtures is sure to prove extremely entertaining. But which players should you be keeping an eye on this week?
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Here are six players to look out for in the Champions League this week:
6) Damien Martinez – Arsenal
Arsenal are suffering from something of an injury crisis at the moment, which is not news that will shock most Gooners. With Wojciech Szczesny suspended after his red card against Galatasaray, and summer signing David Ospina out injured, the responsibility will fall on the shoulders of 22-year-old Damien Martinez.
His performances for the first team so far haven’t been exceptional, but this is a chance to prove that he belongs at Arsenal.
5) Yaya Toure – Manchester City
After a somewhat slow start to the season Toure has started to show his class again. He was rested for most of City’s 4-1 win over Tottenham at the weekend, so should be raring to go when his side head to Moscow.
The game will take place behind closed doors due to CSKA Moscow’s repeated racial abuse, so with the home advantage essentially nullified the Premier League champions should run out comfortable winners.
4) Markus Rosenberg – Malmo FC
The former West Bromwich Albion striker is in blistering form at the moment, scoring both goals in Malmo’s 2-0 win over Olympiakos last round.
Atletico Madrid should prove to be a far sterner test, but if the 32-year-old can keep up his form then the Swedish side are in with a chance.
3) Francesco Totti – Roma
Totti became the oldest goalscorer in the Champions League with his equalising goal against Manchester City. Despite his age, the 38-year-old looks easily capable of performing at the highest level, and will be looking to pull off an upset when Bayern Munich head to Rome.
2) Kostas Mitroglou – Olympiakos
After a disastrous time at Fulham last season, Mitroglou is back in Greece on loan with Olympiakos. He was vital to his sides shock 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid in the first Champions League group game this campaign, and will be just as important against Juventus.
The Greek side will want to forget their lamentable loss against Malmo last time around, and show their home fans what they can do.
1) Adam Lallana – Liverpool
The former Southampton man hasn’t gotten off to the best start since his move to Merseyside, but he is slowly starting to grow into the role he has been given.
A fantastic goal against West Brom will have given him confidence, and despite the poor overall performance Liverpool’s hard fought win over QPR at the weekend can only benefit the side.
Lallana could prove vital to his new side’s form this season, and hosting Madrid at Anfield is as good a time as any to step up.