The penultimate day of the European Champions League, which is played this Wednesday, January 22, promises an evening rich in challenges for some of the Moroccan players playing in Europe.
Achraf Hakimi and PSG in danger
The most anticipated poster of this 7th day is undoubtedly the duel of the two giants, PSG and Manchester City. If Hakimi and PSG started the race well with a victory against Girona (1-0), the Parisians did not at all ensure the continuation. The Ile-de-France residents recorded three defeats and only one draw, snatched during the 3rd day against PSV Eindhoven (1-1).
If the club recovered on the Salzburg pitch (3-0, 6th day), the Parisians find themselves in 26th place in the provisional ranking and are therefore on the verge of being eliminated. Although there are two games left to reach the play-offs, including the last day against Stuttgart, Luis Enrique’s men must at all costs save the day against City this evening and, of course, wait for the next results of the other matches on January 22 .
The same goes for The Skyblues. Pep Guardiola’s men are not having a great run this Champions League season: 24th in the standings, Pep Guardiola’s men have two wins, two defeats and two draws.
Following a poor run in these last two away matches, against Juventus in Turin (0-2) and Sporting in Lisbon (1-4), City must at all costs step up to the plate at the Parc des Princes, to stay in the dam zone.
Diaz and Real must confirm
Brahim Diaz and Real Madrid are not safe from elimination either. The defending champions host Salzburg (33rd in the ranking) at home, and this season, the Madrilenians, who have only recorded 3 wins and 3 defeats, are 22nd in the provisional ranking.
Brahim Diaz and Real have enormous pressure for this meeting, although it is against a not very threatening Salzburg who have only one victory in their last five matches. Diaz and the Madrilenians must win at all costs this evening.
Note that Carlo Ancelotti’s men will have to do without Lucas Vazquez, suspended for accumulating yellow cards.
-Samy Mmaee and Dinamo Zagreb are also in bad shape. The Croatian team travels to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal. Fifth in the standings, the Gunners are in good shape and will undoubtedly put all the chances on their side to maintain their position at the top of the standings.
With only 8 points on the clock, Dinamo Zagreb is one place from the play-offs (25th). The Croatian club must win if it wants to find a place in European competition.
Salah and Aznou in search of the Top 8
Unlike Hakimi and Diaz, the hopes of some are more towards a direct qualification for the round of 16, without going through the play-off stage.
This is the case of Ibrahim Salah and the Stade de Brest. Ninth in the standings with four victories, a draw and a defeat, the Brestois are a little more reassured than the Parisians. The Breton team nevertheless hopes to achieve victory during the trip against Shakhtar Donetsk this January 22 and Real Madrid on January 29, to secure a place in the top 8.
For their part, Adam Aznou and Bayern Munich travel to Rotterdam to face Feyenoord. The Bavarians, 12th in the standings with the same number of points as their opponent of the day, must absolutely win away from home in order to maintain any hope of qualifying directly for the direct elimination phases.
As for the Dutch, a total elimination from the competition should not be underestimated. Feyenoord Rotterdam, 20th, has 10 points for three wins, one draw and two defeats.
Par Magda Soltani
01/22/2025 at 2:49 p.m.
