Five hidden gems to watch in Champions League this season
Karan Tejwani
- 6 Sept 2022 10:25 BST
- 4 min read
The Champions League is set to return this week, and that means there’ll be a host of stars ready to break out and make a name for themselves on Europe’s biggest stage.
Some of them have already had impressive starts in their domestic campaigns, and they’ll be hoping to see that form translate to the continental stage.
So, with Europe’s premier club cup competition set for a restart, which players could have the biggest impact in the coming weeks?
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Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - Napoli
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia wasn’t expected to make such a big impact in his first month of official football at Napoli, but he’s already one of their most important players so far this season, having started the campaign off with four goals in five Serie A matches.
The Georgian only moved to Naples this summer from Dinamo Batumi, and has made an immediate impact, having previously done well in Russia with Rubin Kazan, before leaving due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine – now, he’s set to show his talents in the Champions League.
🇬🇪✨ Dalla Georgia con amore, Kvara
💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/aA61838BZW— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) September 4, 2022
Randal Kolo Muani – Eintracht Frankfurt
Like Kvaratskhelia, Muani only moved to Eintracht Frankfurt this summer and has already made a quick impact with the Bundesliga club, scoring twice and providing four assists in five league matches for the club so far.
He’s already being linked to transfers abroad, with Milan one of the clubs interested, but being placed in a complex Champions League group with Tottenham, Sporting and Marseille, there’s a chance for him to showcase his abilities against some top opposition.
Alejandro Balde - Barcelona
Left-back Alejandro Balde has been given more chances with Barcelona this campaign as Xavi has been looking for an alternative option in that position, ahead of Jordi Alba, and the La Masia graduate has been taking those opportunities.
He has featured thrice this season, providing one assist and is set to compete with new signing Marcos Alonso for the starting berth at left-back for the rest of the season – a few Champions League appearances are a possibility.
Fabio Miretti - Juventus
The 19-year-old Fabio Miretti has been thrust into the Juventus first-team this season and is set to keep that role as the Champions League begins, with clashes against Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica and Maccabi Haifa set to come in Europe’s top competition.
Miretti has had a fine start to the season, orchestrating the midfield having already been given a glowing reputation from his days in Juventus’ youth teams. He’ll now be hoping that trend continues for the rest of the season.
2003 - Fabio #Miretti is the first player born since 1/1/2003 to provide an assist in Serie A. Precious.#JuveSpezia pic.twitter.com/2cydpKBwEo
— OptaPaolo 🏆 (@OptaPaolo) August 31, 2022
Noah Okafor – Red Bull Salzburg
Red Bull Salzburg are well-renowned for their abilities to produce top young talents, especially when it comes to attacking players, and Noah Okafor is another one in the production line.
The forward has been given more time on the pitch this season, scoring four goals and providing two assists in nine appearances and that’s set to continue in the Champions League, with Salzburg set to take on Milan, Chelsea and Dinamo Zagreb.
