Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League is here, and fantasy managers have plenty to think about as injury lists continue to grow across Europe.
With several big names ruled out and others facing late fitness
tests, lineup decisions could prove decisive once again. Here’s the full breakdown of injuries, absences, and doubts ahead of Tuesday and Wednesday’s fixtures.
Tuesday, October 21
Barcelona vs Olympiacos
Barcelona have one of the longest injury lists heading into MD3. Joan García, Gavi, Lewandowski, Olmo, Raphinha, Ter Stegen, and Ferran Torres are all ruled out — leaving the Spanish side stretched across every line.
Fantasy managers should expect plenty of rotation and a few surprises in attack. Olympiacos will be without Rodinei due to a calf issue, while Strefezza is still regaining match fitness.
Kairat Almaty vs Pafos
Kairat have no confirmed absences but are monitoring Zarutskiy, who’s listed as a doubt.
Pafos enter MD3 at full strength, with no injuries or fitness concerns — a plus for fantasy players considering their in-form assets.
Arsenal vs Atlético de Madrid
Arsenal remain without Havertz, Madueke, and Ødegaard, all sidelined with knee injuries. Their absence could see more minutes for Merino and Rice in midfield.
Atlético are missing Cardoso with an ankle injury, while González will be assessed after a head knock.
Leverkusen vs Paris Saint-Germain
Leverkusen face several setbacks with Tape and Tillman unavailable. Quansah, Schick, and Tella are also listed as doubts — a worrying sign for their attacking options.
Paris will miss Fabián Ruiz and João Neves but otherwise look healthy ahead of the trip to Germany.
Copenhagen vs Borussia Dortmund
Copenhagen’s injury list is among the worst this week, with Cornelius, Delaney, Elyounoussi, Højer, Huescas, Mattsson, and Robert all ruled out. Their squad depth will be severely tested.
Dortmund are without Campbell, Can, and Duranville, while Anselmino remains a slight doubt with a muscular issue.
Newcastle United vs Benfica
Newcastle are missing Hall, Livramento, and Wissa, while Tonali’s illness makes him a late fitness call.
Benfica’s absentees include Bah, Bruma, Manu Silva, Nuno Félix, and Prestianni. Roger Schmidt’s side will need to reshuffle both in defense and attack.
PSV Eindhoven vs Napoli
PSV will line up without Van Bommel and Sildillia, but otherwise have no new fitness problems.
Napoli are missing Lobotka and Rrahmani, while Højlund and McTominay remain doubtful. The absences in midfield could affect their balance, making Napoli assets a risky fantasy play this week.
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Inter
Union SG have a clean slate — no injuries or doubts to report. Inter are without Darmian and Di Gennaro, while Thuram faces a race against time to shake off a thigh issue.
Villarreal vs Manchester City
Villarreal lose Foyth and Kambwala to muscular injuries.
City will be without Rodri and Khusanov, while Aït-Nouri is a slight doubt with an ankle concern. Rotation remains a potential issue for Pep Guardiola’s side, so early lineups will be key for fantasy managers.
Wednesday, October 22
Athletic Club vs Qarabağ
Athletic have no major absences but will check on Laporte’s ankle before kickoff. Qarabağ are fully fit with no reported injuries or suspensions.
Galatasaray vs Bodø/Glimt
Galatasaray’s only absentee is Singo, who remains out with a thigh issue.
Bodø/Glimt will be without Saltnes due to illness, while Bassi and Brynhildsen are both listed as doubts. Their attacking depth will likely be tested.
Monaco vs Tottenham
Monaco are missing several key players — Camara, Dier, Hradecky, Pogba, and Vanderson are all ruled out.
Tottenham have a few concerns as well, with Romero, Solanke, and Udogie all doubtful. Van de Ven remains one yellow card away from suspension.
Atalanta vs Slavia Praha
Atalanta lose Kolašinac, while Kossounou and Scamacca are doubts. Slavia are without Douděra, Ogbu, and Staněk, though the rest of the squad looks fit for MD3.
Chelsea vs Ajax
Chelsea continue to deal with injury headaches. Badiashile, Colwill, Delap, João Pedro (suspended), and Palmer are all sidelined, while Fernández faces a late fitness test.
Ajax are without Berghuis, Van den Boomen, and Wijndal, with Dolberg also a doubt.
Frankfurt vs Liverpool
Frankfurt are only missing Baum, giving them one of the cleanest injury reports this week. Liverpool are without Alisson, which could slightly weaken their defensive reliability, but the rest of the squad is available.
Bayern München vs Club Brugge
Bayern have several absentees — Davies, Ito, Musiala, and Stanišić are all out, while Gnabry is doubtful.
Club Brugge will miss Mignolet, Onyedika, and Reis, leaving them light on experience in key areas.
Real Madrid vs Juventus
Real Madrid’s defense remains patched up. Alexander-Arnold, Carvajal (suspended), Ceballos, and Rüdiger are all sidelined, while Alaba, Huijsen, and Mendy remain uncertain.
Juventus are without Bremer, Cabal, Pinsoglio, and Zhegrova, while Miretti is listed as a doubt with a hamstring issue.
Sporting CP vs Marseille
Sporting will be missing Bragança and Nuno Santos, but otherwise have a full squad to choose from.
Marseille are without Gouiri, Kondogbia, and Traorè, though no new injuries have been reported.
Which absences do you think will have the biggest impact this week — and who are you trusting to step up in their place? Share your thoughts and fantasy picks in the comments below!
