Champions League: Barcelona, Manchester United and Bayern Munich face key tests

The Champions League reaches its midway point on Tuesday, with Manchester United looking for a response to their domestic difficulties, Barcelona hosting Aston Villa and Harry Kane aiming to make European history with Bayern Munich.

Manchester United v Roma

Manchester United welcome Roma to Old Trafford having won all four of their previous home meetings with the Italian club.

Roma’s record in England is considerably less encouraging. They have failed to win on any of their past 16 visits, although manager Gian Piero Gasperini has warned his players not to be misled by Manchester United’s inconsistent Premier League results.

“Obviously Manchester United are struggling somewhat in terms of results in the Premier League at the moment. We can’t get distracted and too hung up on that situation because we know that United are a strong team. They make things very difficult for the opposition at Old Trafford, so we’ll be playing as if we’re against United at the top of their form,” he said.

United manager Michael Carrick scored twice when the club beat Roma 7-1 in 2007 and said he had no doubts about his squad’s commitment.

“Perception is a funny thing. The commitment of the players to the club, to me, to each other, I don’t question that at all. We need to play better, we can make better decisions, but commitment is not a thing at all,” Carrick said.

Barcelona v Aston Villa

Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal is one goal away from becoming the outright leading teenage scorer in Champions League history.

The 19-year-old has scored 13 goals in the competition, level with Kylian Mbappe, and can move clear of the Frenchman if he finds the net against Aston Villa.

Barcelona have not lost in their past 15 home matches against English opposition. Villa, meanwhile, have won only once in eight away games in Spain.

Atletico Madrid v Bayern Munich

Atletico Madrid’s 16-match unbeaten home run against German teams will be tested when Bayern Munich visit the Metropolitano.

Much of the attention will focus on Bayern forward Harry Kane, who has scored in each of his past 10 Champions League appearances. Another goal would equal Cristiano Ronaldo’s competition record of scoring in 11 consecutive matches.

“The Ballon d’Or last week was one of the best feelings I’ve had in my life and my career,” Kane said. “Team trophies are why we play football. To be able to lift the Champions League with Bayern would be an incredible feeling. I would choose the Champions League, but I have the opportunity to do both – let’s see what happens.”

Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will make his 164th Champions League appearance, taking him beyond Thomas Muller as Germany’s record holder in the competition.

Villarreal v Paris Saint-Germain

Villarreal face Paris Saint-Germain at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

PSG are unbeaten in their past 13 Champions League matches, while midfielder Vitinha has scored in consecutive European appearances. Villarreal have won three of their last four home games against French opposition.

The other fixtures on Tuesday are Shakhtar Donetsk v Sporting CP, Galatasaray v Stuttgart, Feyenoord v Inter, Bodø/Glimt v Lille and LASK v Slovan Bratislava.