From Salah to Wirtz: Five Serie A opponents to watch in Champions League Round 2 | OneFootball

Champions League football returns this week, and La Gazzetta dello Sport highlights five opponents Serie A clubs must watch out for, including Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

Milan and Inter are the first Serie A clubs to play midweek. On Tuesday, the Rossoneri visit Bayer Leverkusen, and the Nerazzurri host Crvena Zvezda at San Siro. Bologna, Juventus, and Atalanta visit Liverpool, RB Leipzig, and Shakhtar Donetsk the following day.

Monday’s printed edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport on page 12 highlighted the top five opponents for Italian clubs in the next Champions League Round.

Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) vs Milan

The Germany international scored two goals in the opening Champions League game of the season against Feyenoord two weeks ago. Even if Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen can rely on many other stars, such as Alejandro Grimaldo, Jeremie Frimpong, Robert Andrich, and Victor Boniface, Wirtz will be the one to watch due to his ability to lead the attacks with key passes. The 21-year-old is also highly effective in the final third, with six goals and one assist in eight appearances across all competitions this season.

Cherif Ndiaye (Crvena Zvezda) vs Inter

Inter make their 2024-25 Champions League debut at home against Crvena Zvezda, the Serbia SuperLiga leaders, with eight victories and one draw in nine games. Their striker Cherif Ndiaye has netted seven times in 10 matches this season and provided an assist in the first UCL game of the campaign. Gazzetta highlights that Inter must take extra care, having already conceded seven goals in the opening six Serie A meetings.

Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig) vs Juventus

Linked with a move to Milan for several weeks last summer, Sesko is seen as the most dangerous opponent for Juventus when they visit RB Leipzig on Wednesday. A Slovenia international, Sesko has already scored four goals and provided three assists in seven games across all competitions this season. Juventus conceded in a 3-1 win against PSV in the first Champions League game of the season but have kept six clean sheets in as many Serie A matches.

Georgiy Sudakov (Shakhtar Donetsk) vs Atalanta

The Urakine international met Bologna two weeks ago, missing a penalty at the Stadio Dall’Ara. However, Sudakov remains the man to watch in a Shakhtar side that will host Atalanta on Wednesday. A talented attacking midfielder, the 22-year-old has already been linked with Juventus, Manchester City and Barcelona. He has three goals and one assist in eight appearances across all competitions in 2024-25.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) vs Bologna

The ex-Roma star needs no introduction. His future at Liverpool is uncertain as his contract expires in June 2025, but the Egypt international has had an impressive start to the season with five goals and four assists in eight appearances. The 32-year-old offered a reminder of his quality in Liverpool’s latest Champions League game against Milan. He hit the post twice in a dominant 3-1 victory at San Siro, and Rossoneri boss Fonseca praised his decision-making in the final third.