Barcelona without manager, fighting to avoid early CL exit

The main talking points ahead of the fourth round of games in the Champions League group stage:

BARCA’S PROBLEMS

Barcelona is still without a replacement for fired manager Ronald Koeman going into the Group E match at Dynamo Kyiv — and Gerard Piqué and Sergio Aguero will be missing through injury. Piqué has a right calf strain, while Aguero is expected to stay in a hospital to undergo further heart tests after feeling dizzy before halftime in the 1-1 home draw against Alavés on Saturday. Barcelona lost two in a row in the Spanish league — including to rival Real Madrid at home — after defeating Dynamo 1-0 to restore its chances of avoiding its first group-stage elimination in the Champions League in nearly two decades. Barca is third in the group.

BAYERN’S DEFENSIVE TROUBLE

Bayern Munich suddenly has defensive issues to sort out before Benfica’s visit on Tuesday. The