Champions League Group A Preview: Can Atletico compete with holders Bayern?

With only hours to go until the Champions League returns, it's time to run the rule over all 32 teams qualified for this season's edition of Europe's elite club competition.

There is no better place to start than in Group A with holders Bayern Munich. They will face stiff competition for top spot from Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, while Austrian side Salzburg and Russia's Lokomotiv Moscow complete the group.

We have picked out a key player and one to watch from each side, as well as predicting where each side will finish in Group A. Let's dive right in...

BAYERN MUNICH

Key Player - Robert Lewandowski

Lewandowski’s record both in the league and Europe last season was astonoshing and if his start to this campaign is anything to go by - with 7 goals and 3 assists in 3 league starts - he won’t just be the star for Bayern but of the entire tournament once again having earned the highest Champions League rating in WhoScored history last time out (9.03).

One To Watch - Alphonso Davies

With defenders back from injury, Davies may well be deployed in his favoured position on the wing at times having made light work of the adjustment to becoming a makeshift left-back. The teenager’s dribbling and eye for a pass may become even more prominent in the final third as he aims to build on the three assists he registered in the tournament last season.

Group Prediction - 1st

Bayern will face Atletico for the first time since meeting four times in the space of eight months in 2016, with home advantage winning out on all four occasions. That's undoubtedly their toughest test as they tend to make light work of opposition of Salzburg and Lokomotiv Moscow's calibre.

ATLETICO MADRID

Key Player - Luis Suarez

It's not really hit home outside of Spain that Suarez is now an Atletico player in a move completely overshadowed by the Leo Messi saga. The Uruguayan has, after all, been one of Europe's very best strikers for the best part of a decade and while now 33, he has 3 goals already for Atleti and will be keen to silence some critics, particularly when it comes to his Champions League record.

One To Watch - Joao Felix

On the subject of players keen to prove a point, Felix must improve following a disappointing debut campaign in Madrid. He's off the mark for both club and country this season but will need to build upon a meagre six-goal haul in La Liga last season. The youngster was actually more impressive in Europe for Atleti and will hope to restore a slightly damaged reputation on the grand stage.

Group Prediction - 2nd

Having dumped out the previous holders Liverpool last season, Altetico won't expect to do the same at this early stage against Bayern but are a nightmare opponent for any of Europe's elite. They are less convincing when the onus is on them to make the running, but should ultimately progress.

SALZBURG

Key Player - Enock Mwepu

Having lost their three star players from last season, most notably Erling Haaland, and with it the firepower he provides, the pressure is on last year's support cast to take a leading role. Mwepu was certainly a standout performer in midfield, overshadowed by the in-form forwards but still chipping in with three assists and an excellent 4.5 tackles per 90 in last season's group stages.

One To Watch - Dominik Szoboszlai

While there remain a handful of young players on the radar of many a European club in the Salzburg ranks, Szoboszlai is arguably the most valuable. At 19, the versatile playmaker is already a key player for Hungary and has four goals in all competitions for club and country this season. Having also been outshone by the likes of Haaland last season, he will be keen to take centre stage.

Group Prediction - 3rd

Having made a real impression in the group stages last year but ultimately fallen short, Salzburg will be keen to go one better and may have a better chance this time around. Bayern will likely prove too good but the Austrian champions can certainly cause Atletico some problems.

LOKOMOTIV MOSCOW

Key Player - Grzegorz Krychowiak

Having lost star player Aleksey Miranchuk to Atalanta in the transfer window, Lokomotiv's attacking threat has taken a real blow and the pressure on the Russian outfit to call upon a strong defensive record will be even greater. Krychowiak's experience and the shield he provides the back four is key, then, while the Poland international has also chipped in with his share of goals since moving to Russia.

One To Watch - Murilo Cerqueira

A composed head at the back so far for Lokomotiv this season, boasting the strongest pass accuracy (88.1%) among the squad, 23-year-old Cerqueira is a mainstay for a side that has kept 7 clean sheets in 11 league games this season. The Champions League is a huge step up, of course, and proved as much for the Brazilian last season, although he did average an impressive 3.7 interceptions per 90.

Group Prediction - 4th

In losing the more talented of the Miranchuk twins, Lokomotiv are lacking quality at this level to cause an upset. A defence that still boasts 34-year-old Vedran Corluka at its heart will come under real pressure but the trip to Moscow should at least prove problematic for their Group A opposition.