The Champions League returns this week for the fourth round of group stage matches. Here are five bold predictions for all the action.
The Champions League group stages have reached their halfway point, and most of the groups are starting to take shape. There’s still a long way to go, but for some teams this matchweek is crucial if they want to remain in the competition.
Manchester United travel to Juventus hoping to close the gap to first place, while Tottenham desperately need a win against PSV to stay alive in the competition. Spurs will need some help from Barcelona, who play Inter in the other game in the group.
Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid host Borussia Dortmund after being thrashed by the German side last time out, and Hoffenheim play Lyon with both clubs hoping to secure second place in Group F behind Manchester City. Here are five bold predictions for the action.
5. Pogba leads Manchester United to victory over Juventus
Manchester United’s season has been far from consistent so far. This isn’t what their fans would have expected in Jose Mourinho’s third year in charge at the club, as in the past the Portuguese manager has achieved more in less time.
Mourinho has been given time that his predecessors weren’t afforded, and he needs to make that count. Winning in Turin against Juventus would go some of the way to demonstrating his impact at the club — particularly after their poor loss at home to the Italian side.
When the sides met two weeks ago, United were slow and never really looked like they felt they could win against the Italian champions. However, it could be easier for them to play away from home at the moment, where there’s less pressure from a disgruntled Old Trafford crowd.
A player who must feel this pressure every match is Paul Pogba. The Frenchman is one of the most heavily scrutinized players in Europe thanks to his price tag, his talent and his now also his status as a World Cup winner.
Pogba will be desperate to impress in this match considering Juventus is really where he made a name for himself, after moving there from Manchester United in 2012. When he wants to, the creative midfielder can run a game from start to finish.
The primary criticism of Pogba remains that he’s far too inconsistent given his talent. Part of that is down to the players around him, but some of it also seems to be a result of his attitude. Even if his relationship with Mourinho is bad, he should be able to raise his level when it matters.
He tends to look frustrated when he’s not allowed to play the way he wants and Juventus will know better than anyone how to shut him down. The best players find a way to win in those circumstances and on Wednesday Pogba will do this for his side as United beat Juve in Turin.