The Champions League: Towards a decisive phase
After a month of interruption and six contested days, the group stage of the Champions League is about to reach its conclusion with the last two days. From Tuesday 21, the competition will resume with a decisive clash between PSG and Manchester City, scheduled for Wednesday at the Parc des Princes. The Parisians, currently outside the circle of 24 teams qualified for the next stage, must obtain a good result to maintain their chances. The final day, which will host 18 matches simultaneously on Wednesday 29 at 9:00 p.m., promises to be historic.
This season, 24 teams will advance to the next phase, without relegation to the Europa League. The new format and the notable disparities between the teams intensify the competition, both for the fight for the “top 8” and to secure their place in the tournament. The first eight teams will play directly in the round of 16, while those ranked nine to twenty-four will have to go through a play-off round in February.
To date, 13 teams have already guaranteed their participation, including major teams such as Liverpool, FC Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal and AC Milan. However, surprises arise with clubs like Brest, Aston Villa, Atalanta or Lille. Of the lot, only Liverpool have qualified for the eighth, while FC Barcelona and Arsenal must still score points to ensure direct passage.
-As for clubs like Manchester City, PSG and Real Madrid, the situation is more delicate. These teams, used to playing at the top, must achieve good results during the final group matches in order not to compromise their chances of qualifying.
Takeaways
- The PSG vs Manchester City clash is crucial for both teams, with PSG in danger of elimination.
- Spanish clubs, notably FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid, are practically guaranteed to progress to the round of 16, while Real Madrid must remain vigilant.
- Projections show that reaching 15 points may not be enough to guarantee a place in the “top 8”.
- Girona, in its first European participation, finds itself in difficulty, requiring two victories and favorable results to hope to continue.
The current situation highlights the high stakes of this continental competition. The importance of these last matches can change fortunes and see historic clubs find themselves in danger. How will these different teams manage the pressure and make the most of this critical situation? The dynamics of the upcoming confrontations promise to be thrilling and could offer unexpected twists and turns.
