Champions League. Atletico, AC Milan, Real Madrid … the last stakes of Tuesday’s matches
Group A: Paris for reassurance
In group A, the places for the eighth have already been taken: Manchester City (1st, 12 points) acquired their own and first place on the 5th day by beating Paris SG 2-1 (2nd, 8 pts), who took advantage of Bruges’ heavy defeat against Leipzig (5-0) to qualify.
For Paris, the stake of Tuesday is especially to find the going after this European defeat, the injury of Neymar in Saint-Etienne at the end of November, then two draws in Ligue 1. The PSG should bet for that on Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi, seven-time Ballon d’Or struggling since his summer recruitment.
Leipzig (3rd, 4 pts) and Club Brugge (4th, 4 pts) are competing from a distance for third place, synonymous with a ticket to the Europa League. The two clubs are going badly: Leipzig has just sacked its coach Jesse Marsch after another defeat in the league, while Bruges, after a promising start, remains on three heavy defeats in C1 (14 goals conceded).
Group B: behind Liverpool, a place for three
A scenario worthy of the great European evenings: behind Liverpool (1st, 15 pts), author of a clear round, Porto (2nd, 5 pts), AC Milan (3rd, 4 pts) and Atlético Madrid (4th , 4 pts) can each dream of being invited to the European top 16.
The Portuguese start with a slight advantage by hosting Atlético at the Dragon Stadium, and may even settle for a draw to qualify, if Milan do not win against Liverpool.
In San Siro, the Milanese, Serie A leaders since this weekend, must achieve a feat against the Reds to continue the European adventure. Absent from the Champions League for seven years, the Rossoneri are hoping for a great match from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who will play in the 150th European club meeting and hopes to become at 40 the oldest scorer in the history of the C1.
Group C: everything is already folded
Conversely, everything is played in group C … The untouchable Ajax Amsterdam (1st, 15 pts) obtained his qualification and first place in the group thanks to a burning attack appreciated by Sébastien Haller, top scorer of the competition with Robert Lewandowski (nine goals each).
Behind, Sporting Portugal (2nd, 9 pts) qualified on the previous day by winning 3-1 against Borussia Dortmund (3rd, 6 pts), deprived of its prodigy Erling Haaland.
The German club, third, will console themselves with the Europa League in the spring, while Besiktas has nothing more to hope for.
Group D: Real-Inter for the lead
In this two-speed group, Real Madrid (1st, 12 pts) welcome Inter Milan (2nd, 10 pts) to secure first place, in a shock at the top.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men won at San Siro 1-0 in the first leg, but are deprived of their top scorer Karim Benzema, who was injured this weekend in the victory against Real Sociedad (2-0) .
Since their inaugural defeat against Madrid, Inter have not lost in Europe and remain in eight games unbeaten in the league.
Further down, Sheriff Tiraspol (3rd, 6 pts) faces Shakhtar Donetsk (4th, 1 pt). Surprised guest of the competition, the Sheriff, a club based in the small separatist territory of Transdniestria, qualified for the Europa League thanks to a nice run whose climax remains the victory over Real Madrid 2-1 at Santiago-Bernabéu .