5️⃣ big questions ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League action | OneFootball

The fourth matchday of Champions League group stage action kicks off on Tuesday evening.

Here are the five biggest questions ahead of the action.

Will Milan learn lessons from PSG humbling?

Questions are increasingly being asked of Milan after two defeats from their last three Serie A outings while sitting rock-bottom of Group F.

Nothing appears to be going right for Stefano Pioli’s side with their cavalcade of summer signings failing to live up to their hefty billing.

Against that backdrop, the last thing that the Rossoneri need is a return encounter with Paris Saint-Germain to compound their misery.

The Ligue 1 champions’ visit to the San Siro is unlikely to bolster their hosts’ bleak knockout prospects but it can still mark a potential turning point.

In the first of back-to-back UCL home outings, Milan can at least show that lessons have been learned from their 3-0 humbling in the corresponding fixture.

Failure to do so will see Pioli’s four-year tenure placed firmly under the microscope.

Who steps up for Man City in Haaland’s absence?

Erling Haaland is a doubt for Manchester City’s return encounter with Young Boys after twisting his ankle in their recent win over Bournemouth.

His absence from the Champions League stages is rare, having missed just one matchday squad during his side’s triumphant run last season due to injury.

Whether rested or fully omitted for the Etihad Stadium clash, Pep Guardiola currently has no shortage of potential options to fill Haaland’s goal-scoring void.

Julián Álvarez remains the Blues’ like-for-like option but summer signing Jérémy Doku is proving a potent force after scoring again last weekend.

The Belgian’s versatility in operating on both flanks makes him a credible alternative in the goal trail as his side look to continue their flawless group run.

Are Barcelona able to strike a balance?

Barcelona will be hoping to clinch their place in the last 16 stage by avoiding defeat at Shakhtar Donetsk.

It’s been plain sailing for the Spanish champions in Group H with a 100% record from their opening three games.

But Xavi faces a conundrum ahead of his side taking on the Ukrainian giants in Hamburg.

João Félix has faded since his blistering start to life with the Blaugrana while namesake João Cancelo is also impacting the defensive balance

Striking upon a happy medium while also securing qualification with two games to spare provides a difficult balancing act for Xavi’s tactical acumen.

Can Celtic become Group E’s great disruptors?

Celtic holding Atlético de Madrid to a 2-2 draw produced one of the more headline-grabbing results from Matchday 3.

Although they failed to thwart Antoine Griezmann and Álvaro Morata’s potency, the Scottish champions belied their status in propping up Group E.

The Colchoneros are expected to prove too strong for Brendan Rodgers’ side when they travel to the Metropolitano.

Yet the Bhoys will fancy their chances of delivering another statement result which could change the complexion of the current standings.

Denying Atleti again, coupled with Feyenoord failing to pick up maximum points against Lazio, would see them become potential group disruptors.

Will Newcastle extend their resurgent run?

The saying “beware a wounded animal” could not be more fitting for Newcastle United ahead of their trip to Borussia Dortmund.

Their Bundesliga counterparts prepare to welcome Eddie Howe’s side still smarting from their chastening Klassiker defeat to Bayern Munich.

Dortmund dislodged the Magpies from Group F’s top two courtesy of Felix Nmecha’s strike in last month’s encounter at St James’ Park.

Howe’s side responded to the setback by putting together a hat-trick of unbeaten results but lost defenders Matt Targett and Dan Burn to mid-term injuries.

Travelling to Signal Iduna Park, where European nights bring out the best in their hosts, threatens to be a litmus test for Newcastle’s resurgent run.