(Football news) The UEFA Champions League group stage has reached its climax with just one game left before the knockouts. 11 teams have already sealed their place with 5 positions still up for grabs.
Group A
Manchester City play RB Leipzig away from home. Having already secured qualification, Pep Guardiola will look to rest a few players. Bernardo Silva, Joao Cancelo and Rodri haven't travelled with the squad to keep them fresh for their weekend clash against Wolves. Leipzig have lost their last 2 games which isn't a good sign for the German club. They have a total of 9 first team players unavailable including club captain Yussuf Poulsen and star playmaker Dani Olmo.
After their lackluster draw against Lens on the weekend, PSG host Club Brugge in the UCL. Although Paris are guaranteed to finish 2nd, Mauricio Pochettino can't afford to rest players because of the poor performances by his star studded team. Sergio Ramos, Neymar, Julian Draxler and Ander Herrera are all injured while Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are expected to lead the line.
Manchester City have already qualified as group winners while PSG are runners up. RB Leipzig and Club Brugge are tied on 4 points and are looking for Europa League place with a 3rd place finish. The team that gets a better result will finish higher and if both teams lose Leipzig will finish 3rd.
Also read: Real Madrid go eight points clear at the top; Xavi handed first defeat as Barcelona manager; Mallorca stun Atletico Madrid at the Wanda
Group B
Atletico Madrid play away at Porto to try and save their season. Porto will be without center back Pepe who has been tested positive for COVID-19. Atletico Madrid are missing 3 first choice center backs as Felipe is suspended while Jose Gimenez and Stephen Savic are injured. Atletico Madrid lost at home to Mallorca on Sunday while Porto won 3-0 away at Portimonense.
Liverpool have already secured a 1st placed finish but would be looking to go into the knockouts with a perfect group stage record. AC Milan on the other hand will be looking to complete the great escape. After just 1 point in 4 UCL games, Milan now have a chance to qualify for the knockouts. They will have to do so without the likes of Oliver Giroud, Simon Kjaer, Ante Rebic, David Calabria and Rafael Leao. Jurgen Klopp may choose to rest a few of his big boys before their game against the in-form Aston Villa on Saturday.
If Porto win they will qualify for the Round of 16 and a draw might also be enough if Milan fail to beat Liverpool. Atletico Madrid need to beat Porto and also need Liverpool to win or draw against AC Milan. The Rossoneri need to win the match and also need Atlético to get a win or a draw against Porto to qualify.
Group D
Real Madrid and Inter Milan play at the Santiago Bernabeu with the winner set to finish at the top of the table. Sheriff have already fixed their place at 3rd position. Real Madrid will be without star man Karim Benzema with Luka Jovic who scored and assisted at the weekend set to replace the Frenchman. Gareth Bale has started training with the group and could get a few minutes. Inter Milan will be without Joaquin Correa, Aleksandar Kolarov, Andrea Ranocchia, Matteo Darmian, Stefan de Vrij and Christian Eriksen.
