Its newest format, the UEFA Champions League group stage, ends tonight in what is definitely going to be a night full of drama, joy, and heartbreak.
Unlike before, all the 36 teams in the expanded tournament will be in action on the same day with all matches kicking off at the same time (8pm GMT or 10pm CET). Previously all group stage matches were played over two days. In the new format, there are two prizes to fight for at the group stage. Automatic qualification to the round of 16 that comes with finishing in the top eight and the playoffs reserved for teams ranked number nine to 24. Despite taking the tournament by the scruff from the beginning and sweeping every opponent aside to collect the maximum 21 points in seven games, long-time leaders Liverpool are still not guaranteed the top spot. Second-placed Barcelona with 18 points are breathing down their necks with a better goal difference. Any Liverpool slip-up away to PSV tomorrow in the Netherlands will see them end up second if Barcelona beat visiting Europa League holders Atalanta. This would be an unwanted outcome for the high-riding English side who have been rampant and dominant both at home and in Europe this term. They are on course to lift the domestic title and are seeking to become the first club to win all group games in the new-look continental tournament. Their EPL title rivals, Arsenal cannot catch them whatever the results.
The Gunners are third in the Champions League with 16 points, the same as Inter Milan whom they edge on goal difference. Atletico Madrid and AC Milan lie fifth and sixth with 15 points whilst Atalanta (15) and Bayer Leverkusen (13) complete the top eight ahead of tonight's matches. That means any or all in the chasing pack of Aston Villa, Monaco, Feyenoord, Lille, and Brest – all on 13 points – must fancy their top-eight chances. If they meet their part of the bargain, they are likely to benefit from the woes of Atletico, AC Milan, Atalanta, and Leverkusen. Particularly in danger are Atalanta because they face a tough task away against giants Barcelona. In the race for the second prize – a place in the play-offs – the vulnerable teams in the top eight plus Villa in ninth spot, Monaco (10th), Feyenoord (11th), Lille (12th), Brest (13th), Borussia Dortmund (14th), Bayern Munich (15th), Real Madrid (16th), Juventus (17th), and Celtic (18th) have secured their positions.
The chasing pack led by Manchester City in the 25th spot with eight points, followed by Dinamo Zagreb with the same number of points and Shakhtar Donetsky with seven points cannot catch them. However, PSV, Club Brugge, Benfica, PSG, Sporting Lisbon, and VfB Stuttgart who occupy the final places in the playoffs slots cannot sit pretty. Their biggest threat are Manchester City. Facing double City jeopardy is Club Brugge who visit the English side today in a winner-takes-it-all duel. If City wins, they will qualify with 11 points, the same as Club Brugge who will pray other results to favour them because of their negative goal difference. The Belgian side can take solace in the fact that their other rivals for the playoffs, Stuttgart and PSG, go head-to-head in Germany. Stuttgart and PSG have 10 points, though the French side have a slightly better goal difference. A win in that match will see Club Brugge qualify for the play-offs even if they lose at City. Brugge will also sail through with a loss for one of the two Portuguese sides, Sporting or Benfica. Sporting host out of the running Bologna whilst Benfica welcome Juventus.
Another team in the chasing pack, Dinamo Zagreb hosts AC Milan knowing that a win will guarantee them a playoff spot if any of Benfica, PSG, Sporting, or Stuttgart lose. The quartet has 10 points each that will be surpassed by one if any of them lose and Zagreb overcome Milan. The last team with hopes of qualifying for the playoffs is Shakhtar Donetsky in the 27th spot with seven points. But they face a nearly insurmountable task because of their goal difference of negative six. As things stand, there will be no end to drama, joy and heartbreak till the final whistle. Teams will keep dropping in and out of the top eight and the playoff positions tonight as the matches progress.
The Gunners are third in the Champions League with 16 points, the same as Inter Milan whom they edge on goal difference. Atletico Madrid and AC Milan lie fifth and sixth with 15 points whilst Atalanta (15) and Bayer Leverkusen (13) complete the top eight ahead of tonight's matches. That means any or all in the chasing pack of Aston Villa, Monaco, Feyenoord, Lille, and Brest – all on 13 points – must fancy their top-eight chances. If they meet their part of the bargain, they are likely to benefit from the woes of Atletico, AC Milan, Atalanta, and Leverkusen. Particularly in danger are Atalanta because they face a tough task away against giants Barcelona. In the race for the second prize – a place in the play-offs – the vulnerable teams in the top eight plus Villa in ninth spot, Monaco (10th), Feyenoord (11th), Lille (12th), Brest (13th), Borussia Dortmund (14th), Bayern Munich (15th), Real Madrid (16th), Juventus (17th), and Celtic (18th) have secured their positions.
The chasing pack led by Manchester City in the 25th spot with eight points, followed by Dinamo Zagreb with the same number of points and Shakhtar Donetsky with seven points cannot catch them. However, PSV, Club Brugge, Benfica, PSG, Sporting Lisbon, and VfB Stuttgart who occupy the final places in the playoffs slots cannot sit pretty. Their biggest threat are Manchester City. Facing double City jeopardy is Club Brugge who visit the English side today in a winner-takes-it-all duel. If City wins, they will qualify with 11 points, the same as Club Brugge who will pray other results to favour them because of their negative goal difference. The Belgian side can take solace in the fact that their other rivals for the playoffs, Stuttgart and PSG, go head-to-head in Germany. Stuttgart and PSG have 10 points, though the French side have a slightly better goal difference. A win in that match will see Club Brugge qualify for the play-offs even if they lose at City. Brugge will also sail through with a loss for one of the two Portuguese sides, Sporting or Benfica. Sporting host out of the running Bologna whilst Benfica welcome Juventus.
Another team in the chasing pack, Dinamo Zagreb hosts AC Milan knowing that a win will guarantee them a playoff spot if any of Benfica, PSG, Sporting, or Stuttgart lose. The quartet has 10 points each that will be surpassed by one if any of them lose and Zagreb overcome Milan. The last team with hopes of qualifying for the playoffs is Shakhtar Donetsky in the 27th spot with seven points. But they face a nearly insurmountable task because of their goal difference of negative six. As things stand, there will be no end to drama, joy and heartbreak till the final whistle. Teams will keep dropping in and out of the top eight and the playoff positions tonight as the matches progress.