Julian Nagelsmann insisted his Bayern Munich side are "good enough" as questions continued over the attacking capabilities of his Bundesliga champions.

Robert Lewandowski scored 50 goals in 46 matches for Bayern last season in all competitions, making him the top scorer in Europe's top five leagues, but departed for Barcelona in July.

Nagelsmann's side brought in Sadio Mane from Liverpool prior to the Poland international's exit, though the Senegal forward has failed to fill the void with questions persisting over Bayern's attacking options.

Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo have both repeatedly been suggested as potential solutions for Bayern, whose lack of clinical finishing to kill games off has led to criticism.

When asked about the profligate nature of his forwards, Nagelsmann responded: "We have a lot of chances. Statistically we have even more chances than last year.

"It's a good thing that we have more flexibility up front. You have to see the big picture. When you're scoring fewer goals, it's always easy to say 'We're missing a striker'.

"My job is to manage it so that we can compensate. I've commented on this topic many times now. There's always the question of what's available on the transfer market. The squad is good enough."

Nagelsmann was speaking ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Viktoria Plzen, with Bayern aiming for their fourth win in as many games to further their commanding position in Group C.

The Bundesliga side are unbeaten in their last 31 group stage matches in the competition (W28 D3), a record run, but Nagelsmann is targeting another victory to ensure his team progress to the knockout stages.

"The predictability of the line-up isn't a big problem for me. With twelve points we'd be in a good position to go through to the next round," he added. 

"That would give us the rest we need, including for Sunday's game against Freiburg. It's an extremely important game for us. It's up to us to maintain this haven of peace in the Champions League.

"Every one of my players wants to play tomorrow and on Sunday. You always play a game to win it, no matter who you are against."

While Nagelsmann aims for early qualification to offer some of his players a rest, the Bayern coach confirmed he will be without goalkeeper Manuel Neuer against Plzen, with Sven Ulreich likely to deputise.

"Sven has a lot of experience. He's used to performing well when he's needed," he continued. "Manu wouldn't have played in a knockout game tomorrow either.

"The pain in the shoulder area is too great. We'll have to see how it goes. Luckily we still have a few days left to see what it looks like before Sunday."

Xabi Alonso is relishing his "very special" first taste of managing in the Champions League as Bayer Leverkusen aim to ignite their European campaign with victory over Porto.

The 40-year-old replaced Gerardo Seoane as Leverkusen head coach last week and made a winning start to his tenure against Schalke in the Bundesliga at the weekend.

Focus now turns to Wednesday's visit of Porto in UEFA's flagship competition, which Alonso won as a player with Liverpool in 2005 and Real Madrid nine years later.

Leverkusen are third in Group B at the midway stage after last week's 2-0 loss to Porto, who they are level on points with, while Club Brugge lead the way with a perfect record.

Asked about managing in the competition for the first time, Alonso said at Tuesday's pre-match news conference: "It is something very special, for sure. 

"It is one thing to play, but it is something different to coach. Hopefully this will be the first of many games in the Champions League. 

"But it is always special: the lights, the atmosphere, the noise of the stadium. I think it is the most beautiful competition. 

"Every game is big, and you always have to show your highest level when you play these games."

Saturday's 4-0 win over Schalke at BayArena was the highest victory for a coach in their first match in charge of Leverkusen.

That was only the German club's third victory in 13 outings this season and moved them out of the Bundesliga relegation zone.

Leverkusen are now looking to win successive home games in a single Champions League campaign for the first time since October 2014 when Porto visit.

The visitors will be without experienced centre-back and captain Pepe, who Alonso previously played with at Madrid, in what the Leverkusen boss says will be a loss.

"We were team-mates in Madrid and had a great time. He's a great guy, one that you want to have on your side," Alonso said. 

"I wish him a great recovery. Well, from tomorrow! He's a very important player for them, the captain, but he's a leader as well.

"His absence is what it is. You never know if it's good or bad, but we know what Pepe means for Porto. 

"Because of the qualities he has, because of the big personality he has. He's been able to show that hunger and that motivation the way he plays on."

Patrik Schick had a penalty saved in last week's reverse fixture and is without a goal from 12 shots in this season's competition – at least twice as many shots as any team-mate.

However, Alonso has backed the Czech Republic international – Euro 2020's joint-top scorer – to find his scoring touch once again.

"His goals will come, for sure," said Alonso, who previously spent three years managing Real Sociedad B and a period with Madrid's youth sides. 

"He has the quality, the personality and the desire to work on these things. He will help the team and the team will help him."

Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte described Harry Kane as "not only a top player but a top person" after the England captain launched a foundation to change attitudes towards mental health.

On Monday, which was World Mental Health Day, the striker launched the Harry Kane Foundation, with the aims of normalising conversations regarding mental health and tackling stigma.

Kane said he hoped to use his platform to "encourage others to look after their mental health, be their best and not be afraid to ask for help," during Monday's launch.

Speaking on the eve of Tottenham's Champions League fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt, Conte highlighted Kane's suitability for such a role.

"Harry, for me, is the best person to represent this type of campaign, because he's not only a top player but a top person," Conte said.

"He's a really good example and to give him this type of responsibility is good, because you invite people to follow this campaign.

"I'm sure at the same time Harry is really focused on football. I like that he is involved in this type of situation."

Kane hopes his own journey to the top level, which saw him endure several loan spells at lower-league sides, can act as inspiration to anybody experiencing doubts over their abilities.

"It's always been part of my personality to prove people wrong," Kane said.

"When you look back at my career, going out on loan, the things I had to achieve to get to where I am now… for sure, that's part of my identity.

"It's a really important message for any young boys or girls wanting to become footballers or anything in life.

"There are going to be knocks along the way, and ups and downs, but it's about how you cope with that, keep working and keep moving forwards."

Meanwhile, Kane is set to take part in another campaign at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, joining the captains of several other European nations in wearing a rainbow armband as part of an anti-discrimination effort.

Kane intimated on Tuesday that those involved were still prepared to wear the armband in the event of disciplinary action being taken against them, saying: "We've decided that we want to wear it and that's our thought process going forward.

"It'll be down to FIFA, and the FA, I'm sure, will be in contact with them. I haven't heard anything personally yet, so at the moment we're in line to wear it. If anything changes, we'll cross that bridge when it comes."

Harry Kane says Manchester City attacker Erling Haaland is a "fantastic" player but the Tottenham forward is not getting caught up in comparisons or speculation over his own future amid links with Bayern Munich.

The England captain was linked to Pep Guardiola's side last year in a high-profile transfer saga, with a move from north London ultimately failing to materialise after Spurs refused to let him go.

Since then, former Borussia Dortmund striker Haaland has arrived at the Etihad Stadium, ripping up the record books in the Premier League and making his presence felt in Europe too.

Ahead of Wednesday's home Champions League encounter with Eintracht Frankfurt, Kane did not wish to focus on his rivals or what might have been for his own career.

Instead, he would prefer to solve his own continental drought as he still awaits is first goal of the European campaign, though he admits Haaland is in superlative form.

"I'm not someone who likes to think or talk about other players too much," Kane said. 

"He's had a fantastic start to the season, full credit to him, but I can't control that, so I'm concentrating on what I can do.

"I'm helping the team in any way possible, it has been going well so far in the Premier League and I want to score a few more goals in the Champions League for sure.

"People are talking about him [Haaland] and rightly so, he's had a fantastic start. But we've got a long way to go, and there's a lot of games coming up, so I'm concentrating on what I can do."

A clash with a Bundesliga foe has reignited talk of Kane's other heavily linked suitor, in German champions Bayern, but the forward brushed off any discussion of a move, though he was complimentary of the Bavarians. 

"I’m focused on Tottenham Hotspur and trying to do my best for us," he added.

"Bayern are a top, top club - but all my concentration is on Tottenham and trying to win on [Wednesday] night."

Kane's lacklustre form in Europe has left boss Antonio Conte unconcerned, with the Italian noting that the forward continues to build upon his promise with every match.

"You know his form, Harry has started the season really well," Conte said. 

"For us, he is a really important player. He has to continue to work in the way he is working. Every day we have this possibility to improve ourselves and my demands are very high."

Erling Haaland was named among Manchester City's substitutes for Tuesday's Champions League tie against Copenhagen in a rare rest for the prolific striker ahead of next weekend's showdown with Liverpool.

The Norway international had started all 13 of City's matches since joining from Borussia Dortmund in the close season, scoring a remarkable 20 goals and breaking a number of records along the way.

However, Pep Guardiola left Haaland out of his starting line-up to face Copenhagen as one of five changes from the 4-0 win over Southampton at the weekend.

Julian Alvarez was brought into the side to lead the attack – just his third start of the season – while  Aymeric Laporte, Sergio Gomez, Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish were also recalled.

Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva joined Haaland in dropping to the bench at the Parken Stadium, with City operating in a 4-3-3 formation.

City entered the match in the Danish capital knowing a fourth win out of four in Group G would send them through to the knockout phase with two matches to spare.

Guardiola's men turn focus back to Premier League matters on Sunday with a trip to out-of-form Liverpool, who have been their perennial rivals for the title over the past four years.

Copenhagen XI: Grabara; Lund, Khocholava, Boilesen; Jelert, Stamenic, Lerager, Kristiansen; Claesson, Haraldsson, Daramy.
Subs: Johnsson, Ryan, Diks, Sorensen, Johanneson, Mukairu, Ankersen, Clem, Roony.

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Cancelo, Akanji, Laporte, Gomez; Rodrigo, Gundogan (c), De Bruyne; Mahrez, Grealish, Alvarez.
Subs: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Dias, Ake, Haaland, Silva, Foden, Palmer, Lewis, Wilson-Esbrand.

Xavi warned Barcelona they have "no margin for error" in Wednesday's Champions League meeting with Inter, declaring only a win will do for the Blaugrana at Camp Nou.

Hakan Calhanoglu's long-range strike condemned Barca to their second defeat in three Champions League outings last week, leaving them three points adrift of the Nerazzurri in Group C.

That defeat was just the second Barca have suffered in 11 Champions League meetings with Inter (W6 D3), but another reverse would see them eliminated if Bayern Munich avoid defeat to Viktoria Plzen.

The importance of the occasion was not lost on Xavi at his pre-match news conference, where the former midfielder outlined his team's desire for retribution.

"We expect an Inter very similar to the one in Milan. They will form the lower block, the middle block, we have alternatives, we have prepared them," Xavi said.

"It is a final, and we have no margin for error. With the help of the fans, we hope there will be a magical night.

"We must not lower our guard; there is talent, there is a desire for revenge, so we have to give everything so that the victory stays here.

"I would like to be a player tomorrow, I would rather be a player than a coach tomorrow. For me, it is a very good opportunity. We are motivated and hopeful."

Xavi described the decision to deny Pedri a second-half equaliser last week as an "injustice" after Ansu Fati was penalised for handball, but the Blaugrana coach says his team must make the officials' performances immaterial by improving.

"We had a logical outrage after the game, but that's it. Tomorrow it's time to play better," Xavi added. "If we improve the game, maybe we won't talk about the referees."

Inter's tally of 0.18 expected goals (xG) in last week's victory was the lowest of any team to have won a Champions League game this season, and Xavi knows Barcelona must remain patient in the return fixture.

"It's a game to be calm, to know how to position yourself, you don't have to score in minute one. We have to try not to feel the pressure, I always tell them that the pressure is on me," he added.

"You have to be patient, but if we attack like in the second half in Milan, I'm optimistic. We have to be more aggressive. Only three points are worth it for us, we have to be brave."

Meanwhile, Barcelona have been beset by defensive injuries recently, and while Jules Kounde is unlikely to feature on Wednesday, Xavi hopes he will return to face Real Madrid on Sunday.

"We don't count on him except for a surprise, for Sunday we will see. He can make it, but it will depend on his feelings," Xavi added. "I see him well, training hard, positive, my feeling is that he can make it to Sunday."

Kylian Mbappe has been told to "grow up" and be more of a team player, with former France star Emmanuel Petit saying the Paris Saint-Germain striker's behaviour "annoys everyone".

France international Mbappe was linked with a move away from PSG on Tuesday, as Spanish newspaper Marca claimed his relationship with the Ligue 1 club has broken down.

It was reported Mbappe would be keen to move in January, despite only signing a new contract at the end of last season.

The deal came amid strong interest from Real Madrid, with Mbappe agreeing hugely lucrative terms to remain at PSG rather than depart as a free agent at the end of his contract.

He deleted an Instagram post recently that appeared to be critical of his role in coach Christophe Galtier's team, with Mbappe giving the impression he is displeased at being used as a lone out-and-out striker.

Speaking to RMC Sport, former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Petit said: "In recent weeks, I find him off-topic in his communication. I find that he is moving more and more from the central subject, which is the game and the pitch. He is making it more and more a personal business.

"Of course, I hear rumours that promises have not been kept, but I want to tell him: 'Kylian, grow up, that's life.'

"It's the same every day. You are made promises that no one keeps most of the time, does that mean you have to stop working and question everything? Of course not.

"It's called everyday life, the life of grown-ups, that of adults. Kylian, the sooner you have solved your problems with yourself, the sooner your performance will be felt on the pitch and your relationships with the public and your team-mates will find a certain appeasement."

There remains a clamour in Madrid for Mbappe to join Los Blancos, but there would need to be a huge shift in PSG's position for that to be an option before the end of next season.

At the same time, any sign of a dispirited Mbappe could have serious consequences for team morale.

Mbappe had 60 goals involvements in 46 games for PSG last season, with 39 goals and 21 assists.

This term, he has 11 goals from 12 games but has yet to have an assist, and he has often been outperformed by team-mate Neymar, who has managed 11 goals and nine assists in 14 appearances, while Lionel Messi also has eight goals and eight assists.

Mbappe, perhaps thinking he was going to be the main man this season, has been frequently overshadowed by others, making just about as many headlines for his perceived unhappiness as for his football.

He was due to be in action for PSG against Benfica on Tuesday in the Champions League, ahead of a Ligue 1 'Classique' against Marseille on Sunday.

"He annoys everyone today," said Petit. "He constantly makes it a personal matter.

"He even puts himself above the institution. Has everything that happened in recent months gone to his head?"

Celtic have been fined €15,000 (£13,168) by UEFA over an anti-monarchy banner displayed in last month's Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

A number of banners referencing the Queen's passing could be seen in the Celtic end at Polish Army Stadium in Warsaw, where the sides played out a 1-1 draw on September 14.

UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings against the Scottish champions the following day.

The European football governing body announced on Tuesday that Celtic must pay a fine for the use of "a provocative banner" containing a "message not fit for a sports event".

It had already been announced Celtic's rivals Rangers would not face any punishment for defying UEFA's orders by playing the national anthem as part of a tribute to the Queen before their 3-0 loss to Napoli.

For a player boasting 28 trophies in European football, including league titles in France and Italy, as well as Champions League success with Chelsea, it's somewhat surprising Thiago Silva's big breakthrough on the continent did not arrive until he was 25.

After failing to make the grade at Porto, and contemplating walking away from the game entirely during a spell on loan with Dynamo Moscow, a successful return to Brazil with Fluminense ultimately led to a move to Milan and the rest, as they say, is history.

San Siro proved more than just a springboard into a trophy-laden spell in European football for Silva, and it is the ground where he is expected to make his 100th Champions League appearance on Tuesday with Chelsea, the eighth – and possibly final – club of his career.

Should that be the case, he will become only the fifth Brazilian in history to reach that milestone in the competition after Roberto Carlos (120), Dani Alves (111), Fernandinho (103) and Marcelo (102).

Despite now being 38, you would not bet against the veteran centre-back going on to break Roberto Carlos' record – although for that to happen, he would have to spend at least one more campaign at Stamford Bridge or another Champions League-level club.

On the basis of his first two-and-a-bit campaigns at Chelsea, and the fact the club have already extended his stay twice, there is every chance Silva could yet see out his career in London.

Ahead of what may be a landmark occasion for the Brazilian against his former club, Stats Perform looks back at his career to date – particularly in UEFA's primary club competition – and highlights just why he is still such an important figure both on and off the pitch.

SILVA DRIVEN BY SELECAO SELECTION

Silva made it clear when joining Chelsea in August 2020, on the back of his Paris Saint-Germain contract expiring, that still being in contention for Brazil for the 2022 World Cup was his long-term motivation to remain at the very top.

"As I've said before, the prospect of playing at the next World Cup is another thing that really drives me," he said at the time. "I'll be 38 years old by the time of the next World Cup and I'm hugely motivated to be in good shape for it.

"The work that I'm putting in to make this a reality already started a while back and now Chelsea have given me a great opportunity to continue playing at the highest level of the game."

Far from being a bit-part player, the 5,219 minutes Silva has played in the Premier League since his arrival is the second most of any outfielder for the club, behind only Mason Mount (6,345).

The departure of Thomas Tuchel, whom he worked with at PSG, and arrival of Graham Potter has not lessened his workload, either, as he has started nine of Chelsea's 11 matches in all competitions this term.

One of the games he missed was Saturday's 3-0 win over Wolves because of illness, but he has since returned to training and is part of Chelsea's travelling squad for the trip to Milan.

Indeed, Silva played in last week's reverse fixture with the Rossoneri – also a 3-0 win – despite being under the weather. Not that it showed, with the centre-back not only helping his side to a clean sheet but also leading the way for shots (three) and shots on target (two) as he made himself a nuisance in the Milan box. 

Incredibly, only winger Raheem Sterling (seven) had more touches in the opposition box than Silva's three. Thirty-eight he may be, but Silva is still having an impact for Chelsea at both ends of the field – and almost certainly will with Brazil in Qatar.

THIAGO'S TIME TO ADAPT

Defending is the priority for Silva, of course, and he has adapted his game in that regard during his time at Chelsea. While the sample size for this season's Champions League (two matches) is far too small to come to any sort of conclusions, last season's statistics provide plenty of insight.

Silva cleared the ball 1.7 times per 90 minutes across his nine Champions League outings in the 2021-22 campaign, which was by far the lowest amount of any of his 13 seasons in the competition up to that point. The next lowest came in 2014-15, at PSG, when clearing the ball 3.1 times on average.

By extension, his number of headed clearances was also at a low last season, down from 2.4 per game in his final campaign in the French capital to 1.0 last term. His 0.8 tackles per 90 minutes, meanwhile, was also the lowest he has registered in the Champions League.

This does not mean Silva was necessarily defending less, just that he was operating – under the instructions of Tuchel at the time – in a different way. He was also playing a bigger part in the build-up play, with his 67.9 successful passes per 90 minutes a tally he has only personally bettered once in his career (75.8 in the 2018-19 season).

Incidentally, it was in Silva's first season at the Parc des Princes that he registered his lowest passes completed (37.9 per game) figures. Over the past decade, his game has had to change considerably. And yet here he is, still thriving at 38.

"A HUMILITY TO JUST DO THE JOB"

Whether at Milan, PSG or Chelsea, clubs that are accustomed to regular squad overhauls, Silva has very much been a mainstay of the backline, as highlighted by those 99 previous appearances in the competition, 60 of which came during his eight seasons at the Parc des Princes.

Silva never lifted the famous trophy with PSG, however, the closest he came to doing so being the 2019-20 season when losing to Bayern Munich in the final. Nine months later, he was holding it aloft as part of Chelsea's victorious side in Porto, another city where he previously plied his trade.

Should he do so again this campaign, he will become the second-oldest player to win the competition after Paolo Maldini with Milan in 2007, a true sign of his longevity at the top of the game.

On the day he is welcomed into the Champions League's Centurion Club, Silva has another opportunity to show against one of his former sides that age is very much just a number, as he has done throughout his time with Chelsea.

"He was outstanding," Potter said on the back on last week's win against Milan. "He's 38 years old, 38 years young, and when he's playing like that, he's an impressive person. He's a character, a proper guy who's got a fantastic experience but has a humility to just do the job.

"He's competing in the Champions League and the Premier League – you don't get that by thinking about [the World Cup]. You get it by being in the moment. It's how he prepares, recovers, rests and focuses."

Add hunger to that list, too. A hunger to fight back from a life-threatening illness early on in a career that was going nowhere fast; a hunger to remain on top of his game and adjust his style in his 21st season as a footballer; a hunger to captain his national side at the biggest tournament of them all at the age of 38.

While his career may still have a bit of time to run yet, occasions like Tuesday in Milan offer a reminder that we should continue to enjoy Thiago Silva while we can.

Thiago Silva says his story is "already done" at Milan but the Chelsea defender suggested he could return to his former club as a coach ahead of the pair's Champions League clash.

The Premier League side and Serie A champions will meet at San Siro just under a week on from their reverse encounter at Stamford Bridge, where the Brazil international played his part in a 3-0 win for the Blues.

Silva previously spent three seasons between 2009 and 2012 with the Rossoneri, winning a Scudetto, before making the move to Paris Saint-Germain, where he cemented himself as one of European football's best centre-backs.

Champions League glory since a switch to Chelsea has vindicated the veteran's move away from PSG, and Silva has now revealed that a failed chance to return to Milan before heading to Stamford Bridge has closed the book on his time there.

"My passage [in Milan] is already done," he stated. "My story is already written. The opportunity to come here came before [I joined] Chelsea, but it didn't happen."

With that said, Silva acknowledged he could return once hanging up his boots, adding: "I don't think I can return to Milan [as a player]. [But] in the future, as a coach? Maybe.

"I am very happy, very excited to be back [in San Siro]. Everything I have been through with this great club, it comes to mind. [During the game] it will be even more so."

Having penned a one-year extension in January to take him through the end of the 2022-23 campaign, questions over Silva's long-term future at Stamford Bridge are starting to rear their head again.

Boss Graham Potter, who has been effusive in his praise of Silva's comradeship within the squad, says the choice to stay is in the defender's hands, though the latter was hesitant to set a timetable on any commitment.

"It is probably not the right time to talk about contracts," he added. "What I can tell you is, for me, it is important to continue playing at the highest level and help the team achieve the highest possible results.

"The time will come to talk, and it could be time before or after the [Qatar 2022] World Cup. I need to decide my contract for my family arrangements and it is not easy. We will see what will happen."

Thiago Silva is a "joy" to coach, says Chelsea boss Graham Potter, as the Brazil captain eyes a return to action against former club Milan in the Champions League this week.

The experienced defender missed the Blues' Premier League clash with Wolves on Saturday after suffering from a cold, but was on press duty at San Siro ahead of Tuesday's encounter.

Silva spent three years at Milan between 2009 and 2012, where he was a Serie A winner, before going on to achieve domestic success with Paris Saint-Germain and European glory with Chelsea.

Potter declared the 38-year-old's return from a brief absence was a major boost, hailing him as a model professional on and off the pitch.

"Thiago was [fine] when we played Milan [last Wednesday], but he just got a little worse as the week went on," Potter stated on Silva's earlier absence. "It made no sense to play him again.

"But he has recovered well, and he's been incredibly impressive on and off the pitch. 

"As a leader, he's a top professional, and a top person. He's been a joy to work with."

Potter will be without N'Golo Kante and Hakim Ziyech for Tuesday's encounter, however, with the former battling a hamstring injury and the latter feeling under the weather.

"It is not ideal, and certainly disappointing for both him and for us," Potter said of Kante's condition.

"So we have to wait and see the extent and then go from there. Hakim has a sore throat and that is why he has not travelled."

Stefano Pioli is adamant Milan possess the quality to compete with Chelsea in Tuesday's crucial Champions League clash at San Siro.

While the Rossoneri are going well on the domestic front, sitting three points behind Serie A leaders Napoli after Saturday's 2-0 win over Juventus, they have struggled on the European stage this term.

Milan suffered their heaviest Champions League group-stage defeat when they lost 3-0 at Stamford Bridge last Wednesday, leaving them third in Group E after three games.

The Italian giants have also lost four of their last five games at home to English teams in the Champions League (W1), and are winless in their last five European meetings with Chelsea (D3 L2).

However, Pioli is confident they can test the Blues this time around, saying: "It is the identity and the quality with which you play the game that can make the difference. 

"Tomorrow we face a team that just over a year ago won the Champions League, which has strengthened itself, which has international level players, so it is clear that our level will have to be high if we want to compete and try to win the game. 

"I believe that my players have the qualities to stay at that level, as long as we can play a game of attention, determination, trying to be as precise as possible because, in addition to their qualities, Chelsea have been able to make the most of our mistakes. 

"The fact that we played against them only a week ago helps us, in the sense that we were able to analyse the game well. I expect an improvement in dynamism, in personality."

Graham Potter is yet to lose a game as Chelsea head coach since replacing Thomas Tuchel last month, recording three wins and one draw with the Blues, but Pioli hopes Milan's home advantage could prove decisive.

"It seems to me that at this moment they, with the new coach, have found certain positions on the pitch that are giving them very good results," Pioli added.

"I don't think there is a warmer stadium than ours right now. We have fans who really push and support us and we feel it. Of course, I hope to be able to bring this to the pitch."

Pep Guardiola credited Erling Haaland for his rapid adaptation to Manchester City's style of play, claiming the Norwegian has become more involved in their build-up in recent weeks.

Haaland has scored 20 goals in just 13 appearances for City since his move from Borussia Dortmund, including five in three Champions League outings.

The Norwegian hit a brace in a 5-0 home victory over Copenhagen in the competition last week and will likely play a central role when City look to confirm their place in the knockout stages by winning Tuesday's return fixture in Denmark. 

Speaking on the eve of that game, Guardiola compared Haaland's recent displays to his first few outings with City, hailing the 22-year-old for improving his all-round contribution. 

Asked how Haaland had adapted to City's style, Guardiola said: "If this happened, it works so far. Of course, we adapt a little bit, he adapts… we got to know each other on and off the pitch.

"But he settled perfectly and quickly because he's a nice guy, he understands things quickly. We know we have an incredible threat with him, and at the same time he knows what he has to do. When this happens, situations come easily.

"He's absolutely one of the best, no doubt about that. I had many strikers, they were all very, very good and Erling is one of them. The numbers speak for themselves.

"At an early age, how many goals he has in the Champions League, in Norway, Austria, Germany and now England… I speak a lot about him, but sometimes I should not say anything and just look at the numbers, it would be enough.

"Against Bournemouth [in August], I remember he was not involved much in the game, now he's much, much more involved, not just to score the goals. 

"We know when he arrives in the final third or the box, he has a special instinct to know where the ball is going to finish and put it in the net. That's why he's an exceptional striker."

Haaland has scored a remarkable 28 goals in 22 Champions League games during his career. His next goal in the competition will see him equal the tallies of David Trezeguet (in 58 appearances) and Patrick Kluivert (71 appearances).

The striker will be one of few elite players to get a prolonged break during the middle of the season, with Norway having failed to qualify for the World Cup.

However, Guardiola says the tournament will not influence any decision to rest Haaland in the future, adding: "No, I don't think about selection thinking about the World Cup. 

"The national trainers will decide how to handle the players when they get there. They don't think about us, we don't think about them. 

"[On Tuesday], I'm going to decide the selection. I have to speak with the players, the doctors and physios, and decide what's best. We'll see."

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti expects goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to return from injury in time for Sunday's Clasico clash with Barcelona.

Madrid ruled Courtois out for an undetermined period at the start of the month when they revealed he was suffering from sciatica.

That came shortly after the most recent international window, meaning Courtois has not played for Madrid since the 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid on September 18.

He has missed three games in all competitions and will also be absent when Madrid go to Warsaw to face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday.

But crucially, Ancelotti's first-choice goalkeeper is predicted to be ready for Sunday's top-of-the-table duel with Barca at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"Courtois is much better," Ancelotti said on Monday.

"The plan is for him to start training on Thursday and be ready for Sunday. We have spoken with him and he is much better."

While Courtois will not feature in Poland, Karim Benzema is set to start.

The Frenchman was out for three weeks after sustaining a thigh injury in the Champions League win over Celtic last month before returning in the 1-1 draw with Osasuna on October 2.

Ancelotti acknowledged prior to the 1-0 weekend win over Getafe that Benzema was "a bit tired" and proceeded to leave him out for the short trip, but he will be back on Tuesday.

"Karim is fine and it's clear that tomorrow he starts, with [Toni] Kroos and [Ferland] Mendy, who are fresh and are going to play," Ancelotti said.

But Vinicius Junior, who has started all of Madrid's 12 games in all competitions this season, could be due a rest.

"Vini is one of the players that I have to evaluate because he has played everything before this trip. We have to evaluate him."

Lionel Messi will miss Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League clash with Benfica on Tuesday, but head coach Christophe Galtier expects the forward to return for next weekend's game with Marseille.

The Argentina international missed out on his side's ill-tempered Ligue 1 match with Reims over the weekend with a calf injury, and was forced to watch from the sidelines as they played out a goalless draw.

Hopes that the 35-year-old might return in time for the crucial European clash with their Portuguese visitors have been dashed now, too, with Messi set to miss out again.

But while Galtier confirmed he would be an expected absentee, he suggested that the attacker is close to a return to action, and could well feature in Le Classique on October 16.

"Messi felt discomfort in his calf during the first game against Benfica," he stated. "He thought he could take part in tomorrow's game, but in the end, he would be limited.

"He is better, but he still has an unpleasant feeling. He preferred to abstain. We will watch his recovery, but it is very likely that he will be present against Marseille."

Galtier acknowledged losing Messi is a blow, with the Argentinian having rediscovered his form after a difficult first season with PSG following his exit from Barcelona, having scored five goals and added seven assists in Ligue 1 this term.

"We know the importance of Leo to our game, his form and the connection he can have with the other players," Galtier added. "We cannot be happy with his absence.

"But we will have to find other solutions and other connections where we can bring danger to the Benfica defence."