WEDNESDAY UCL NIGHT: Key stats and what to look out for

The UEFA Champions League Matchday 7 continues on Wednesday night with nine thrilling encounters. Some teams will be aiming to secure their place in the next round, while others are fighting to keep their hopes alive.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles and AFCON 2025 star Victor Osimhen is expected to return and lead the line for Galatasaray against Atlético Madrid in one of the headline clashes.

In another key fixture, African star Pierre‑Emerick Aubameyang will look to inspire Marseille to victory against a struggling Liverpool side.

All matches kick off at 10pm CAT unless otherwise stated.

Galatasaray v Atlético de Madrid (7:45pm)

Atlético are unbeaten in six previous meetings with Galatasaray (W4 D2), including two 2-0 victories in the 2015/16 group stage where Antoine Griezmann scored all four goals. They have triumphed in all three encounters played in Türkiye. Galatasaray have won only one of their last 21 matches against Spanish teams. Lucas Torreira, now at Galatasaray, made 26 appearances for Atlético during a loan spell in 2020/21.

Atlético have lost only one of their 14 matches against Turkish teams, winning the last five. Diego Simeone’s side have won ten of their last 13 Champions League matches and gone 23 games without a draw.

Jan Oblak is set to become the first Slovenian player to reach 100 Champions League appearances, and only the second Atlético player after Koke. Julián Álvarez has scored ten goals in his last 11 Champions League appearances.

Qarabağ v Frankfurt (7:45pm)

The sides last met in the 2013/14 Europa League play-offs, with Frankfurt advancing 4-1 on aggregate. Qarabağ are winless in ten matches against German teams.

They have, however, scored at least twice in each of their last five home European games. Frankfurt have just one win in their last eight UEFA fixtures and none in their last five, risking a record run without victory.

Atalanta v Athletic Club

This is the first UEFA competition meeting between the two clubs. Atalanta are winless in their last seven matches against Spanish opposition, though they are unbeaten in their last five Champions League outings (W4 D1).

All eight of their goals this season have come in the second half, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring in their last two matches. Athletic Club have won only one of their 11 away fixtures against Italian opposition, though they have lost just three of their last 14 matches against Italian teams overall.

Chelsea v Pafos

This is the first UEFA meeting between the sides and Pafos’ first against an English team. Chelsea’s only prior Cypriot opponents were APOEL in 2009/10. The Blues have lost only two of their last 62 UEFA group stage matches at Stamford Bridge and are unbeaten in 17.

They have scored in their last 21 European games. Pafos have won only two of their last seven UEFA matches and have failed to score in three away fixtures this season. Defender David Luiz, now at Pafos, won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012.

Bayern München v Union Saint-Gilloise

This is the first UEFA meeting between the clubs. Bayern have lost only one of their last 11 matches against Belgian teams and are unbeaten in their last 37 home Champions League group stage matches. A win would be Bayern’s 250th in the European Cup, making them only the second club to reach the milestone after Real Madrid.

Lennart Karl could become the youngest player to score in four consecutive Champions League matches. Union SG are unbeaten in four matches in Germany but have lost four of their last five Champions League games.

Juventus v Benfica

Benfica have won seven of the nine previous meetings, including a 2-0 victory in Turin last season. Juventus have lost only three of their 12 home matches against Portuguese opposition, all against Benfica.

Weston McKennie could become the second American to reach 40 Champions League appearances. Benfica are unbeaten in their last four matches against Italian opposition and are aiming for a third consecutive win in the competition. Leandro Barreiro has scored in their last two matches.

Newcastle United v PSV Eindhoven

PSV won both previous Champions League encounters in 1997/98. Newcastle have won seven of their last nine matches against Dutch opposition and their last four at home against Dutch teams. Anthony Gordon has scored five goals in six Champions League appearances this season.

PSV have beaten English opposition twice in the league phase, scoring in 18 of their last 19 matches.

Marseille v Liverpool

Liverpool lead the head-to-head with three wins to Marseille’s two. Marseille ended a 12-match winless run against English teams by beating Newcastle on Matchday 5. Igor Paixão has four goals in Marseille’s last five Champions League matches. Liverpool have won 16 of their last 19 group stage matches, with Dominik Szoboszlai scoring in three of their last four.

Slavia Praha v Barcelona

The sides last met in the 2019/20 group stage, with Barcelona winning 2-1 in Czechia and drawing 0-0 in Spain. Slavia Praha are winless in their last 13 UEFA matches and have not scored in their last five Champions League games.

Barcelona are unbeaten in their last eight matches against Czech opposition but have struggled away from home recently. Lamine Yamal now holds the record for most goal involvements by a player aged 18 or younger in Champions League history, surpassing Kylian Mbappé.

By: UEFA.com