Champions League: Juventus looking to improve recent European record

The Old Lady face a tough trip to Spanish champions Atletico

PARIS: Italian champions Juventus visit Spanish champions Atletico Madrid in a match that will set the tone of Group A and may potentially decide its winner.

Last season's runners-up Atletico suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to Olympiakos in their opening match, and have found it difficult to find the net from open play this season. However, they have been proficient on set pieces and Brazilian centre-back Joao Miranda believes their team can find a way past the Old Lady defence. “A set piece can change a game, and we have plenty of players who can bury the ball" said Miranda, who is the Rojiblancos’ top scorer this season.

However, it will not be easy for Diego Simeone’s men as Juventus have not conceded a goal in five successive Serie A wins, and started their Champions League campaign with an easy 2-0 victory over Malmo. Atletico will also have to be wary of Argentinian striker Carlos Tevez, who has scored six goals in four games- including a brace against Malmo — and new coach Massimiliano Allegri says the Argentine is finally fulfilling his potential.

Swedish champions must register first win

Defeat on opening day means Swedish champions Malmo must get something out of their clash with Greek champions Olympiakos to have a realistic chance of qualifying from the group.

However, they would have to contend with Olympiakos striker Kostas Mitroglou, who has rediscovered his scoring touch since returning from a disappointing spell with English outfit Fulham.

Real with easy game

As their ground’s pitch has been deemed unfit by UEFA, Ludogorets will host defending champions Real Madrid at the National Stadium, around 400km away in Sofia. The Bulgarian champions almost grabbed a point at Anfield in their Champions League debut, before a late Steven Gerrard penalty secured a fortuitous 2-1 win for Liverpool.

Real started their UCL defence with a 5-1 thumping of Basel and will be expecting to make it two wins out of two as their attack should surely prove too much for Ludogorets.

Liverpool face tricky away fixture

Five-time champions Liverpool face a tricky away game to Swiss dark horses Basel, who beat Chelsea home and away at the same stage last season. The last time Liverpool travelled to St Jakob-Park they rallied from 3-0 down for a 3-3 draw in 2003 and a similarly high-scoring game can be expected, especially considering the riches both sides boast in attack.

Arsenal looking to bounce back

Injury-ravaged Arsenal take on Galatasaray for the first time since the Istanbul side defeated the Gunners on penalties in the UEFA Cup final in 2000.

Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere all picked up injuries in the North London derby on Saturday, but Arsene Wenger will still be confident that his side can record their first Champions League win this season.

Meanwhile, the Turks are looking for their first win on English soil after three draws and six defeats in their nine previous visits. Arsenal are playing in their 17th consecutive Champions League after knocking out another Istanbul side, Besiktas, 1-0 in the final qualifying round.

Dortmund hoping to solidify first-place

A victory for Dortmund, who lost to Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich in the 2013 final, would give them six points from two matches and increase their chances of finishing first in the tough Group D.

However, the match may not be an easy one as Dortmund have won just once in four trips to Belgium, while Belgian champions Anderlecht have lost only four times at home to German clubs in 14 meetings.