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Perfect Bayern wary of formidable Atletico madrid

Here’s a look at tomorrow morning’s key Champions League fixtures as Atletico Madrid meet Bayern Munich in a rematch of last season’s semi-final ...

Carlo Ancelotti. Photo: AP

Carlo Ancelotti. Photo: AP

Here’s a look at tomorrow morning’s key Champions League fixtures as Atletico Madrid meet Bayern Munich in a rematch of last season’s semi-final ...

Group A

Arsenal vs Basel (StarHub Ch202; 2.45am)

Things are looking up for Arsenal after they came from behind to hold Paris Saint-Germain in their opener, seemingly putting them in control of the group. The Gunners beat Chelsea 3-0 on Saturday, leaving them third in the Premier League and unbeaten in seven games in all competitions. Alexis Sanchez scored his fifth of the season in that game having also netted in Paris.

However, Arsenal should be wary of Basel. Swiss champions in each of the last seven seasons, they needed a Renato Steffen equaliser to draw with Ludogorets but have a 100 per cent domestic record.

Group C

Celtic vs Manchester City (Singtel Ch112 and StarHub Ch212; 2.45am)

Celtic last beat Premier League opposition a decade ago when Shunsuke Nakamura’s superb free-kick saw off Manchester United, but the financial chasm between Scottish football and the Premier League has only widened since then.

It is now extremely difficult for Celtic to compete with Europe’s giants, as exemplified by their European record 0-7 loss in Barcelona last time out.

City are a daunting prospect. Pep Guardiola’s Premier League leaders have won all 10 games they have played this season although Kevin De Bruyne has joined Vincent Kompany on the sidelines.

Borussia Moenchengladbach vs Barcelona

Barcelona are without the injured Lionel Messi and Moenchengladbach will hope to take advantage of that to keep alive their hopes in the group after going down 0-4 at Manchester City last time out. Barcelona, in contrast, trounced Celtic 7-0 at the Camp Nou with Messi netting a hat-trick. However, the Borussia-Park is not an easy place to go — Andre Schubert’s side have won their last 11 games in front of their own fans after a 2-0 victory against Ingolstadt in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

Group D

Atletico Madrid vs Bayern Munich (Singtel Ch111 and StarHub Ch203; 2.45am)

It is a repeat of last season’s semi-final at the Vicente Calderon as Bayern visit Atletico looking for revenge for their defeat in that tie. Bayern now have Carlo Ancelotti (picture) at the helm, the Italian who coached Real Madrid to their dramatic Champions League final win over Atletico in Lisbon in 2014.

But Diego Simeone’s Atletico are formidable in front of their own fans and unbeaten this season so will be hopeful of ending Bayern’s perfect record so far in this campaign.

Bayern, who won 1-0 at Hamburg at the weekend, are without Brazilian winger Douglas Costa while Atletico are missing Augusto Fernandez. The midfielder suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Deportivo that will keep him out for much of the remainder of the season. AFP

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