Arsenal, Bayern , PSG , Man Metropolis and Atalanta have all already certified for knock-outs
Actual Madrid host Nineteenth-placed Monaco on Tuesday of their first Champions League match since Xabi Alonso’s departure. Picture: AFP/File
PARIS:
Actual Madrid, Liverpool and Inter Milan could boast a mixed 24 European titles, however they nonetheless have their work lower out to make sure their tickets to the knock-out phases of the Champions League.
Whereas the highest eight safe direct entry to the final 16, groups positioned ninth to twenty fourth should navigate an extra two-legged play-off spherical to hitch them.
Arsenal, Bayern Munich, holders Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester Metropolis and Atalanta have all already secured their locations in a minimum of the knock-out section play-offs.
This leaves plenty of European heavyweights nonetheless not sure of their presence when the enterprise finish of the Champions League begins.
AFP Sport appears to be like at 4 big-hitters bidding to seal qualification because the league section enters its penultimate matchday:
Inter Milan
Of the groups in pole place to make sure development on matchday seven, Serie A leaders Inter face the hardest job as they have to bounce again from defeat final outing in opposition to Liverpool after they tackle the one staff with a 100% file to this point, Arsenal.
Nevertheless, Cristian Chivu’s aspect can depend on no favours from Arsenal on the San Siro on Tuesday because the Premier League leaders will probably be determined to stitch up a top-eight end forward of the ultimate spherical of league section fixtures on January 28.
Because the season turns the nook in the direction of its remaining stretch, Chivu mentioned after Saturday’s Serie A win he believes his staff is actually beginning to perceive the best way he needs them to play.
“The will to be taught from this staff is outstanding,” mentioned the Romanian.
“What we’re displaying on the pitch is a testomony to the need of those gamers, as a result of it is not straightforward to alter habits.”
One behavior he will not need his gamers to alter, nevertheless, is Inter’s robust file in opposition to Arsenal, who they’ve bested in three of their 4 Champions League conferences.
Actual Madrid
New Actual Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa will probably be beneath no illusions that his time within the Santiago Bernabeu hotseat will probably be judged largely on his performances in membership president Florentino Perez’s most-cherished competitors.
After crashing to defeat at second-tier Albacete within the Copa del Rey, Arbeloa oversaw a win in opposition to lowly Levante in La Liga on Saturday however the environment within the Bernabeu was poisonous with boos directed on the new coach, in addition to star gamers Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.
“I’ve all the time revered the Bernabeu (crowd), they whistled me rather a lot too, and it is one of many points that make this membership so nice, the demand of the followers,” mentioned Arbeloa.
Madrid, seventh, host Monaco on Tuesday and if Arbeloa is to get the followers again on board along with his aspect, something aside from development within the Champions League just isn’t an possibility.
Liverpool
Beneath-fire supervisor Arne Slot has stopped the rot with Liverpool now on a 12-match unbeaten run however with their possibilities of defending their Premier League crown dwindling with every passing week, the Anfield hierarchy will probably be placing increasingly emphasis on a profitable Champions League run.
The six-time champions go to the cauldron-esque environment of Marseille’s Stade Velodrome on Wednesday the place a win would represent an enormous step in the direction of reserving their place within the final 16 and ease the stress on Slot following a run of 4 successive attracts within the league.
The Dutchman mentioned forward of Liverpool’s irritating 1-1 draw at house to newly-promoted Burnley final weekend that he was “glad” to have Mohamed Salah return from Africa Cup of Nations responsibility.
Ought to the Egyptian make his membership return midweek, he might convey a much-needed leading edge to Liverpool’s lacklustre assault of late.
Barcelona
Trailing barely behind the principle pack of qualification contenders are Hansi Flick’s La Liga-leading Barcelona, whose 11-match successful run in all competitions ended with a 2-1 loss at Actual Sociedad on the weekend.
Final yr’s semi-finalists sit again in fifteenth place with 10 factors, and Flick is keen to shortly flip the web page on Sunday’s home setback as they make the journey to Slavia Prague.
“The consequence does not replicate our efficiency,” mentioned Flick. “We’ve to maintain going on this course.
“On Wednesday, it is time to win in Prague.”
