💥Champions League, historic night with 18 matches! All you need to know🧐
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For 90 minutes, European football comes to a halt: the Champions League concludes the single group phase with all matches scheduled at the same time. A single goal can change everything.
18 simultaneous matches will determine who directly advances to the round of 16, who will have to go through the playoffs, and who will say goodbye to the competition (HERE is everything you need to know).
Of the 36 clubs at the start, four are already mathematically eliminated regardless of the results (Kairat, Villarreal, Slavia Prague, and Eintracht), while Arsenal and Bayern Munich are already qualified for the round of 16. From here, the dance of combinations begins. Below, match by match, what each team needs on this high-tension night.
📌Ajax – Olympiacos
If the Greeks win, the playoff is practically guaranteed.
A draw eliminates Ajax and leaves Olympiacos waiting for other results. With an Ajax victory, the Dutch would still be dependent on other fields, while the Greeks would be eliminated.
📌Arsenal – Kairat
This is the only match with nothing at stake: Arsenal already first, Kairat already last and eliminated.
📌Athletic Club – Sporting Lisbon
With a win, Sporting could enter the Top 8 depending on other results. A draw would qualify the Portuguese for the playoffs, with a remote chance of Top 8; Athletic would remain waiting. If Athletic wins, both would go to the playoffs.
📌Atlético Madrid – Bodø/Glimt
A large victory for Atleti, combined with favorable results, could mean the Top 8. A draw sends the Colchoneros to the playoffs and eliminates the Norwegians. With a win, Bodø can hope for the playoffs.
📌Borussia Dortmund – Inter
With a win, Inter would be almost certain of the Top 8; in case of a goal fest, they could even eliminate Dortmund. A draw sends both to the playoffs. A Borussia win would still leave them tied to very complex scenarios to enter the top eight.
📌Barcelona – Copenhagen
If Barça wins convincingly, they enter the top eight and eliminate the Danes. With a draw, Copenhagen would depend on other results for the playoff. A Danish victory would guarantee playoff access.
📌Benfica – Real Madrid
With a win, Real mathematically enters the Top 8 and eliminates Benfica. A draw eliminates the Portuguese and leaves Madrid among the top eight unless there are shocking combinations. With a win, Benfica can hope for the playoffs, while Real would have to wait for other results.
📌Club Brugge – Marseille
Marseille victory: playoff assured and Brugge eliminated. A draw opens up every scenario, from qualification to elimination for both. If Brugge wins, the playoff is certain for the Belgians and Marseille waits.
📌Eintracht – Tottenham
With Eintracht already eliminated, Spurs just need to win — or even draw depending on results — to enter the top eight.
📌Leverkusen – Villarreal
Villarreal is already eliminated. With a win, Leverkusen secures the playoff. A draw or loss would force the Germans to look at other fields.
📌Liverpool – Qarabag
Liverpool victory: Top 8 and Qarabag hanging on other results. Draw: Reds almost certain of the Top 8, Qarabag towards the playoff. Qarabag victory: playoff secured for the Azeris and Liverpool at risk of exiting the Top 8.
📌Manchester City – Galatasaray
With a win, City is almost certain of the Top 8. A draw or Galatasaray victory would guarantee both the playoff.
📌Monaco – Juventus
If Juve wins, they can enter the Top 8 with a series of favorable combinations; Monaco would risk elimination. A draw sends the Bianconeri to the playoffs and forces the French to wait. With a win, Monaco is certain of the playoff.
📌Napoli – Chelsea
Chelsea victory: Top 8 assured and Napoli eliminated. Draw: English at risk of exiting the Top 8, Napoli still dependent on other results. Napoli victory: playoff almost certain and Chelsea out of the Top 8. This is the scenario of the match at Maradona, one of the most anticipated of the evening.
📌Pafos – Slavia Prague
Slavia already eliminated. Pafos must win and hope to enter the playoff. Draw or loss means elimination.
📌PSG – Newcastle
The winner enters the top eight. A draw could suffice for both, the loser risks slipping to the playoffs.
📌PSV – Bayern Munich
If Bayern wins by at least five goals and Arsenal loses, the Germans would finish first. A draw might not be enough for PSV. With a win, the Dutch would have almost secured the playoff.
📌Union Saint-Gilloise – Atalanta
Atalanta victory: playoff guaranteed and, with a favorable combination, also Top 8. The draw eliminates Union and sends Atalanta to the playoffs. With a win, Union would need to hope for a series of favorable results.
The combinations are endless and a single goal can change everything. This is the current snapshot of the Champions League: in a few hours, it might seem like pure fantasy.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.
📸 LISELOTTE SABROE - Ritzau/Scanpix
