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Covid-hit Ronaldo to miss Champions League showdown with Messi

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26th October, 2020
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A much-anticipated Champions League meeting between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will not take place this week but Juventus facing Barcelona is still a highlight of the group stage.

Serial Serie A champions Juventus have made a stuttering start under new coach Andrea Pirlo while new Barca boss Ronald Koeman is looking to bounce back from the weekend defeat in the Clasico in Wednesday’s game.

Holders Bayern Munich head to Lokomotiv Moscow while Atalanta’s clash with Ajax and Manchester United’s meeting with RB Leipzig are among the intriguing fixtures of Matchday 2.

With Ronaldo still isolating after a positive coronavirus test, Pirlo is demanding the rest of his Juve players lift their game.

The rookie tactician hopes for the recovery of defensive veterans Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci for the Group G game which will take place behind closed doors.

Barcelona will be without Philippe Coutinho who has a hamstring strain but Koeman could start with Antoine Griezmann.

Juve and Barca both won their opening games to top the group while Dynamo Kiev meet Ferencvaros with both chasing a first point.

Bayern were impressive in their demolition of Atletico Madrid last week and are the clear favourites to top Group A.

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Atleti will be without the injured Diego Costa when they face RB Salzburg.

United’s clash with Leipzig could see another opportunity for Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani after he made his debut as a substitute in a goalless Premier League draw with Chelsea.

Bundesliga leaders Leipzig top Group H with Julian Nagelsmann relishing their good start to the season.

Paris Saint-Germain will be keen to bounce back from their home loss to United when they visit Istanbul Basaksehir, who host their first game in the competition.

After the return from injury of goalkeeper Allison on the weekend, Liverpool could welcome back midfielder Thiago Alcantara for Tuesday’s Group D against Socceroos winger Awer Mabil’s Midtjylland.

High-scoring Atalanta host tradition-rich Ajax in what could be a thriller at the Italian side’s renewed Gewiss Stadium.

Borussia Moenchengladbach host record champions Real Madrid in a Group B encounter with Eden Hazard in Zinedine Zidane’s squad for the first time this season after injury.

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Shakhtar Donetsk host Inter Milan in the other game.

Club Brugge and visiting Lazio meet as Group F leaders while Borussia Dortmund and Zenit St Petersburg chase their first points.

In Group C, Manchester City’s injury list is growing after losing Sergio Aguero again to a hamstring problem before they visit Marseille.

Olympiacos visit Porto with three points already in their possession.

The other fixtures are in Group E when Krasnodar host Chelsea and Sevilla welcome Rennes.

© AAP

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