Three-way match Porto-Atlético-Milan, Real-Inter shock, the stakes of the evening
Last day of the Champions League group matches and tension is at its peak in two groups. PSG face Bruges on RMC Sport at 6:45 p.m.
Nice finish for this phase of pule of the Champions League while waiting for the fireworks display on Wednesday evening (Lille which plays its qualifying, Barça which plays its survival …) This Tuesday, Real Madrid and Inter are compete for the head of group C on Tuesday at the end of the group stage of the Champions League, where the suspense of group B remains intact with Porto, Atlético and AC Milan battling for a place in the eighth.
Group A: Paris for reassurance
(6:45 p.m.) Paris SG – Bruges
RB Leipzig – Manchester City
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: a place for three
(9 p.m.) AC Milan – Liverpool
Porto – Atlético de Madrid
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
(9 p.m.) Dortmund – Besiktas
Ajax Amsterdam – Sporting Portugal
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
(9:00 p.m.) Real Madrid – Inter Milan
Shakhtar Donetsk – FC Sheriff
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 .