UEFA revamped the UEFA Champions League (UCL) format after more than three decades because millions of fans around the world felt the initial group stage had lost any sense of jeopardy, with most top clubs sleepwalking into the knockouts season after season. The second season of the new iteration has been a roaring success. The big boys still lead the way, but the fact that as many as 16 teams are still in the hunt for the remaining six automatic spots in the last 16 – perfect Arsenal (21 points) and Bayern Munich (18) are already guaranteed theirs – tells you just how intense the competition has been. Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in sixth have the same points (13) as Italy’s Atalanta in 13th spot. Among that cluster of eight teams on 13 points are heavyweights Barcelona and Manchester City, both currently the wrong side of the top eight.
Arsenal’s hugely impressive 3-1 victory over Internazionale in Milan made it seven wins out of seven and made sure of a top-two finish. Bayern too have escaped a possible play-off for a last-16 berth after two Harry Kane strikes in the second half saw off Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise. Real Madrid and Liverpool, both on 15 points, need only draws to confirm their top-8 finishes. Liverpool have what looks a comfortable home game against Azerbaijan’s Qarabag, but the fact that the rank outsiders are in the play-off hunt themselves with 10 points makes it something off a banana skin. Real, emphatic 6-1 winners over Monaco in Alvaro Arbeloa’s first UCL match as interim coach, face a much trickier assignment away to Benfica – managed by their one-time boss, Jose Mourinho.
Barcelona went behind but battled back to win 4-2 away to Slavia Prague, and should now progress with a home game against FC Copenhagen to come. Three other English sides all face tough tasks to clinch an automatic berth. City, who were lucky to escape the Arctic Circle with only a 3-1 embarrassment against Bodo/Glimt, must beat Galatasaray, whose Victor Osimhen will relish going up against a defence that was all at sea in Norway.
Chelsea must journey to Italian champions Napoli, who need a win to be assured of a play-off berth. Eddie Howe’s Newcastle will be in those play-offs for certain, but can stay in the top eight only if they get at least a point away to PSG. Tottenham Hotspur, in fifth place on 14 points, will also likely escape the two-legged play-off if they avoid defeat against already eliminated Eintracht Frankfurt.
Ajax, Benfica, Marseille and PSV Eindhoven are some of the previous winners who need a win in the final round of games next week to avoid dropping out of the play-off picture. After City’s humbling in Norway, no team will be taking anything for granted.
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