5️⃣ things to look out for in Wednesday's Champions League action 💫 | OneFootball

Matchday three of the new-look Champions League continues on Wednesday night with some mouthwatering match-ups from across the continent.

We look at the biggest talking points.

⚔️ Match of the Day

The standout game comes from Barcelona, where Hansi Flick welcomes his former employers Bayern Munich (who he won this tournament with in 2020) to town.

Although they are two traditional European powerhouses, recent meetings have been extremely one-sided, with the German giants winning the last six, scoring 22 times in the process, while Barça have failed to score in any of the last four games.

However, in Flick they may have an ace up their sleeve. He has won 17 of his 20 games in the Champions League which is the best win percentage of any coach with more than two games in the dugout.

It is poised perfectly for an intriguing showdown on Montjuïc.

🔎 Team to Watch

📸 Carl Recine - 2024 Getty Images

Liverpool FC have been outstanding so far in the Arne Slot era and he has the chance to put a little more distance between himself and predecessor Jürgen Klopp when his side travel to Leipzig.

That clash will pit the Reds against their former coach's new employers, with Klopp surprisingly announcing that he will begin a role with Red Bull as their Head of Global Soccer next year as his past collides with his future.

The Premier League leaders have a strong record in this competition against German opposition, winning seven of their 10 meetings and after an impressive win against Chelsea on Sunday, look for them to continue their impressive form.

🔥 Player to Watch

📸 DAMIEN MEYER - AFP or licensors

Based on the quality of shots faced over the course of the first two matchdays (which excludes own goals), Brest goalkeeper Marco Bizot has prevented more goals than any other goalkeeper in the competition.

In games against Sturm Graz and Salzburg (which both ended in victories), Brest had a total 3.1 xG against them for the shots on target they faced and yet the only time Bizot has picked the ball out of his own net came via an OG.

"We dreamed of a start like this but nobody thought it would really happen!" Bizot admitted.

He's set for his toughest test yet though and will likely be worked harder than ever before as his side take on Xabi Alonso's free-scoring German champions Bayer Leverkusen.

👀 Potential upset

Lille are aiming for a consecutive Madrid double when they travel to the Spanish capital.

Last time out, Bruno Génésio masterminded a win over holders Real Madrid to snap their 36-game unbeaten streak and is looking to repeat the feat at the home of their city rivals Atlético de Madrid.

Although Atleti are unbeaten in their last 11 Champions League games at the Metropolitano, they did suffer their joint-biggest European loss last time out when they fell to a stunning 4-0 defeat to Benfica.

Lille also won on their last UCL visit to Spain, defeating Sevilla in 2021. The odds are stacked against them in this one but they proved last time out they are a force to be reckoned with.

📊 Fascinating stat

If Manchester City avoid defeat against Sparta Prague, they will set a new European Cup/Champions League record for the longest ever unbeaten run with 26 games.

It is a record that is currently held by rivals Manchester United. Over the course of their 25 matches without defeat, City have won 17 and drawn eight, scoring 64 times and conceding just 18 goals.

📸 Alexander Hassenstein - 2020 Getty Images