A look at what’s happening in European soccer on Tuesday:
GROUP A
As Manchester City travels to Paris Saint-Germain in a rematch of last year's semifinal, it's all about egos in the French capital. After getting substituted during Saturday’s 2-0 league win against Montpellier, Kylian Mbappe was caught on camera complaining to a teammate that Neymar — who assisted Julian Draxler for PSG’s second goal — did not pass him the ball. The incident prompted a debate in French media on the impact of Lionel Messi's arrival at the club on the relationship between Mbappe and Neymar. The pair have played five games together this season, failing to provide assists to each other. Neymar and Mbappe have enjoyed an excellent relationship so far, but Messi’s signing has brought about major change. Messi and Neymar, who have a close relationship with Argentina forward Angel Di Maria, rekindled the close bond and complicity they had in Barcelona, giving the impression that Mbappe is somewhat left aside. “While Leo, Angel and Neymar know each other, we have to integrate Kylian into it all," PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino recently said. “It’s going to take a little time.”
GROUP B
Porto hosts Liverpool coming off an unbeaten start to its season with five wins and three draws, including at Atlético Madrid to begin its Champions League campaign. Porto won its three matches at home by outscoring opponents 10-0. Veteran central defender Pepe is still listed as doubtful because of a left leg muscle injury sustained in the 0-0 draw against Atlético in Madrid. Atlético visits AC Milan still waiting for a breakthrough performance from Antoine Griezmann in his return to the club. Griezmann is winless in eight matches with Atlético this season. The defending Spanish champion has struggled recently with only one victory in its last four matches, including the draw against Porto. Its last match was a stunning 1-0 defeat at then last-place Alavés in the Spanish league. AC Milan is without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is out with an Achilles tendon problem.
GROUP C
Sporting Lisbon visits Borussia Dortmund with only one loss all season — the demoralizing 5-1 rout at home against Ajax in its return to the Champions League after a three-year absence. Coach Rúben Amorim may not be able to count on Gonçalo Inácio and Pedro Gonçalves because of injuries. Ajax meets Besiktas for the first time in 28 years in a fun mood. Sebastien Haller’s four in the win over Sporting has not been a blip. Ajax is on a run of seven successive wins, 29 goals scored and one conceded. Haller leads the team with nine in all competitions. Besiktas has been going the other way. It started the campaign losing to Dortmund at home, and comes off last Friday from blowing a Super Lig lead and losing for the first time in nearly five years.
GROUP D
Real Madrid hosts Sheriff hoping Karim Benzema and Vinícius Júnior will quickly get back in form after faltering in the team’s disappointing 0-0 home draw against Villarreal in the Spanish league this weekend. It was the first time this season that Madrid’s attack was held scoreless after outscoring opponents 22-8 in its first seven matches in all competitions. Either Benzema or Vinícius Júnior scored at least once in five of the first seven matches. Rodrygo was the Madrid scorer in the 1-0 win at Inter Milan in its Champions League opener. Sheriff comes to Madrid atop Group D after opening with a home win against Shakhtar Donetsk. Inter visits Shakhtar Donetsk with its attack clicking despite the departure of Romelu Lukaku. Inter has 20 goals in six Serie A matches.
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