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The Champions League returns with Matchday 4 of the new "league phase." Italian teams Milan and Inter are at the center of the action in two blockbuster matchups. Fonseca’s Milan takes on Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, facing off against former boss Carlo Ancelotti. With only 3 points from their first three games, the Rossoneri are aiming for an upset against the reigning champions to climb the standings. Currently in 25th place, Milan is on the outside of playoff contention.
Meanwhile, Simone Inzaghi’s Inter hosts Arteta’s Arsenal at San Siro in another marquee clash. Both teams have collected 7 points so far and are in the thick of the race for a top-eight finish. After a tough defeat to Stuttgart, Juventus, led by Thiago Motta, is also seeking redemption. The Bianconeri travel to Lille, who recently upset Real and Atletico Madrid. Juventus, with 6 points, sits in the playoff zone, just one point from eighth place.
Atalanta, under Gasperini, is still unbeaten in the Champions League, with 5 points from two draws (against Arsenal and Celtic) and a win over Shakhtar. They’ll be on the road against Stuttgart. Last among Italian teams is Bologna, managed by Italiano. The Emilian side remains winless, with just one point and no goals yet in matches against Shakhtar, Liverpool, and Aston Villa.
Bologna will host Ligue 1's second-place Monaco at the Dall’Ara, as the visitors sit at the top of their Champions League group with 7 points from three games. The two clubs with perfect records, Aston Villa and Liverpool, are up against Club Brugge and Bayer Leverkusen, respectively. Meanwhile, Guardiola’s Manchester City travels to face Sporting, managed by future Manchester United coach Amorim, in a preview of future Manchester derbies and a tantalizing showdown between goal-scoring machines Haaland and Gyokeres.
