Round 6 is upon us and you can’t start pulling punches now. It’s crunch time in the Champions League as the final rounds of League Phase action kick off, who has what it takes to cruise through to the next round and who will find themselves dumped out at the first hurdle?
It’s the last Champions League round before Santa Claus comes knocking, and a few players have definitely found themselves on their manager’s naughty list this week. Mohammed Salah has thrown his toys out of the pram and won an all expenses paid trip to the reserves as his side travel to Italy to take on last year’s runners-up Inter while Pep Guardiola once again returns to face an old nemesis in Real Madrid in a game that could see Xabi Alonso lose his job. I’m sure a certain bald Dutchman will be hoping Liverpool hero Alonso remains at Madrid a while longer.
Round 6, time to put up or shut up. Who has what it takes to qualify and who is kissing their Champions League campaign goodbye under the mistletoe?
The Results:
Tuesday 9th December
Kairat Almaty 0-1 Olympiacos
Olympiacos managed the tricky away trip perfectly, dominating from the first whistle and controlling the game before finally scoring the winner midway through the second half. It’s probably too little, too late for the Greek side, but with Leverkusen and Ajax up next they could be eyeing up 6 points that may see them make the play-off stage. It’s not quite time to give up just yet in Athens. Unfortunately for Kairat, they’re now out of the play-off equation, but what a run they’ve had. To make it even this far is spectacular for a Kazakh team, and they have performed admirably across a difficult run of fixtures. They even managed to pick up a point! Whatever happens next, they’ll always have Pafos.
Bayern Munich 3-1 Sporting CP
Not to panic anyone, but Harry Kane didn’t score. Maybe it isn’t coming home? Bayern survive a second-half scare to come back and win comfortably against a spirited, but ultimately not at the level, Sporting display. Lennart Karl, Bayern’s 17 year old wunderkind who shares his name with Homer Simpson’s two best friends, grabbed his fourth Champions League goal of the season to put his side ahead. Nothing better to make you question your mortality than someone who can’t even legally drink yet running rings around Europe’s elite. Bayern are through, and well on their way to automatic qualification despite their blip in North London. Spotting will probably be fine, PSG and Athletic Club will provide stern tests, and automatic qualification may be out of reach, but they’ll comfortable make it to the play-offs. You’d hate to be the team that picks them out of the hat for the play-off stage.
Atalanta 2-1 Chelsea
Since their big win over Barcelona, Chelsea have gone winless in their next four games. Atalanta took full advantage of their visitors’ shaky form and capitalised on some suspect defending to overturn a 1-0 deficit to win the game. Belgian Charles De Ketelaere grabbed a goal and an assist to fire his team well into the top 8 with just two games to go, level on points with PSG and ahead of Real Madrid and Inter. It’s been an astounding league phase for the Italian side, and with Athletic Club and USG to come it could become even better. They’ll fancy themselves as one of the favourites to automatically qualify to the round of 16 now. Chelsea will be gutted with the result as their chase for the top 8 has taken a massive hit. Pafos are up next and then they end with a trip to Naples, nothing short of 6 points will do for Chelsea to ensure they make it through and avoid a play-off round.
Barcelona 2-1 Frankfurt
Barcelona turned the game on its head through the use of Jules Koundé’s head. Two headed goals within 3 minutes flipped the 1-0 deficit to a well-deserved 2-1 lead, Marcus Rashford grabbing yet another assist for the Catalan side in this resurgent season. Had they lost, Barca would have been in big trouble going into their final games needing to win, but with a win and with København and Slavia Prague on the horizon they should be okay. Win both, and they might just sneak through to the top 8. Frankfurt aren’t officially gone but it’s looking dire. Qarabag and Spurs await them and you’d think they’ll need 6 points to have a shot at making it to a play-off.
Inter 0-1 Liverpool
Slot’s lot are back in business. Aren’t they? A bit. It was a cagey game without a lot going for it, but Liverpool came out on top through a controversial late Dominik Szoboszlai penalty. A win is just the tonic the Red’s needed after all the off-field drama involving notable absentee Mohammed Salah, and it drags them well into the race for automatic qualification. With the way their form is going, skipping the extra play-off games will be vital for them moving forward with their season. As is usual for games involving Inter in this competition, there weren’t a lot of chances or goals, and they only sit above Liverpool in the top 8 on goal difference after 6 games. This might have been their last chance for a win as they have Arsenal and Dortmund next, it’ll take some big showings from the Italians to get into the top 8. Both will be hopeful, and neither will drop out of the play-offs entirely, skipping those games is the only target left for now.
Monaco 1-0 Galatasaray
Galatasary have lost both games since I tipped them to sneak into the top 8 a few weeks ago. Sorry about that, lads. After a disappointing draw in Pafos, this victory is huge for Monaco and edges them closer to the front of the queue to guarantee a place in the play-offs. USA international Florian Balogun grabbed his third of the Champions League campaign, on the eve of a home World Cup is a great time to start hitting form. Monaco didn’t let their missed penalty weigh too heavily on them and they powered through to a well-earned victory against a difficult to beat side. Both now sit on 9 points, you’d think 2 points from their remaining games would be just enough to push them over the line to the play-offs. Monaco have Real Madrid and Juventus while Gala face Atletico and Manchester City, horrible fixtures to have remaining for both of them and it’ll require a massive result against a more fancied team to get them the points they need. Monaco will definitely be eyeing up the Juve game, but leaving it until the last day comes with it’s own challenges.
PSV 2-3 Atletico Madrid
PSV took an early lead before Atleti hit them with a devastating 19-minute flurry of goals and sealed the points for Simeone’s side. A late goal from another American forward in Ricardo Pepi wasn’t quite enough to pull PSV level in the tie and the Dutch side may feel hard done by as the game was pretty even throughout. PSV have failed to capitalise on their huge win over Liverpool and now face an uphill battle to qualify as Newcastle and Bayern Munich are their final two fixtures while they need a minimum of three points. Atleti have sealed their place in a knockout round and the top 8 positions are well within their sights – struggling Galatasaray and minnows Bodø/Glimt will fear Simeone’s wrath in the coming weeks.
Tottenham 3-0 Slavia Prague
Heung-Min Son returned to watch his old side for the first time after leaving in the summer and was treated to a rare dominant display by his former employers. An own goal and two penalties isn’t the sexiest way to win, but Spurs created plenty of chances and they won’t care how they go in. Vicario made his fair share of saves to keep the visitors at bay, it was an entirely convincing display but a win is a win. A German double-up of Dortmund and Frankfurt is next for Spurs, and a good result against BVB could have them right in contention for a top 8 spot without ever really playing too well. Slavia aren’t making it through despite some solid showings, all they can do now is play spoiler for Barca and Pafos in their remaining games. Slavia Prague also requested a Pride flag was removed from their corner of the stadium due to “safety” concerns. Cheerio, lads.
Union St. Gilloise 2-3 Marseille
USG will struggle to make it to the next stage now, with 6 points on the board they’ll probably need to win both of their final games to guarantee a spot. Just the Bayern Munich and Atalanta games to win, then. No biggie. Marseille have 9 and will probably be fine with games against Liverpool and Club Brugge to come. Greenwood got two, the fact he is allowed to play at this level is still an unbelievable disgrace. The sooner the footballing world moves on and he is out of sight, the better.
Wednesday 10th December
Qarabag FK 2-4 Ajax
Gutting. As an honorary Qarabag fan, it’s a shame to see them throw away this result. Ajax picked up their first points of the Champions League campaign, but still won’t be able to qualify, so they’re just ruining the fun! No Azerbaijani side had even picked up a point in the competition before this season, so Qarabag’s 7 are practically miraculous. Had they held on at 2-1 here, 10 points might have even squeezed them through to the knockouts. It’s tough to take, with Frankfurt and Liverpool to go they’ll need at least another win, can the miracle makers make another miracle? They held the lead until 79 minutes before Ajax realised what shirt they’re wearing and hit three in quick succession. Too little, too late for the Dutch giants.
Villareal 2-3 FC København
Villareal are out and København have thrown themselves a late qualification lifeline. Despite having the lion’s share of the chances, Villareal’s horrible Champions League showing continued with a home loss to the Danish side, and they still have just one point. It was a great, late last-minute win for Køvenhavn that keeps them just inside the play-off spaces with 2 games remaining. Napoli and Barcelona are their final tests, so it might be tricky to get through, but at least they’ve given themselves a chance.
Athletic Club 0-0 PSG
Uncharacteristically goalless from PSG, and uncharacteristically good from Athletic Club. The Basque side have had to face Real Madrid, Atletico and PSG within 7 days, it doesn’t get much harder. They’ve come away with 4 points, you can’t argue with that. Unai Simon in the Athletic net had a great game and his side fought for every ball and earned their clean sheet. PSG will feel they should’ve won, but they got out-fought and out-worked at every turn. Quality isn’t everything. PSG still sit third and will be confident of achieving a top 8 spot, Athletic have 5 points and will probably need to beat both Atalanta and Sporting to see themselves through to the next stage. Not impossible, but unlikely. Not everyone can get through, I suppose!
Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Newcastle United
Anthony Gordon’s Premier League season has been so-so, but in Europe he seems to come alive. 5 goals and 2 assists in 6 games, scoring the first and assisting the second here, makes him the second best contributor to goals in the competition behind someone called Kylian Mbappe. He might be one to watch, too. A draw felt fair on the night and it was a good result for both teams, with 9 and 10 points respectively just one more win will see them safely to a play-off spot. A point might even be enough. Eddie Howe’s boys have a big trip to Sunderland this weekend to focus on now, it’s been a big week for the Toon Army.
Benfica 2-0 Napoli
Jose Mourinho was reunited with the prodigal son Scott McTominay as his Benfica side comfortably saw off their Italian visitors. Napoli had plenty of the ball but, and you’ll never believe this, Mourinho has coached his team to be effective without it! Who’d have thought. Goals either side of half time were enough to claim victory for the hosts in Lisboa, and take them to within a point of the play-offs. When Jose took over they were rock bottom with Ajax on zero points, you can imagine the smug little grin on his face if they sneak into the play-offs from there. They’ll have to overcome one, or both, of Real Madrid and Juventus to do it. That last gameweek matchup against Real could be box office.
Borussia Dortmund 2-2 Bodø/Glimt
It was nice to see the tables turned and watch Bodø claim a point they probably don’t deserve, rather than be robbed of 2 in a disappointing collapse. Dortmund will be furious they haven’t put this game to bed, a victory would’ve seen them up in 4th and cruising to a top 8 finish. Alas, work to do for BVB still as they face Spurs and Inter in the coming weeks. Beating the teams around them could be all they need to hoist themselves over that line into the automatic qualification. Bodø’s heroic maiden Champions League run is, heartbreakingly, over. But what a run it’s been! If they carry on the trajectory they’ve been running at for the last few years, they’ll certainly be back.
Club Brugge 0-3 Arsenal
Will anyone beat Arsenal in Europe? Will anyone score against them? Not this week. 6 wins from 6, 17 goals scored and 1 conceded. That’ll probably do. With their goal difference advantage, even if they lose their last two games, the top 8 is all but secured already and they can afford to take their foot off the gas slightly and rotate. Of course Arteta won’t let up, but he could. They are in tremendous form and look unplayable, even with a heavily rotated team that featured Christian Nørgaard at centre half. Brugge have been in tricky form, but with Kairat and Marseille as their final two games they hold a glimmer of hope that they could sneak into the next round. 2 wins might not even be enough, but they’ll need them both to stand a chance.
Juventus 2-0 Pafos FC
A professional display from a Juventus side that have picked up their form as of late. No drama, the majority of the ball and the majority of the shots and 2 second half goals to confirm the three points. It couldn’t have gone much better for the Italian giants. It was needed too, they’re up to 9 points now and will need to take something from Benfica and Monaco to ensure they make it to the next stages. Pafos have had a great debut campaign and are lingering just outside the play-offs, it’ll be a tough ask but they face an unpredictable Chelsea and Slavia Prague next. Anything can happen, it would be great to see a Cypriot team make it to the knockouts.
Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City
Xabi Alonso is, at time of writing, still the manager of Real Madrid. The complaints from the players seem to be that he is over-coaching them and too focussed on tactics as opposed to massaging their egos. It was always a worry as to if the man who had coached a middling Leverkusen side to undefeated Bundesliga and cup glory would be able to manage the star power available to him in Madrid, and clearly cracks are starting to form. The Madrid job has now devolved to being mostly man-management and making sure all your expensive toys are kept happy. Get the ball, pass to Mbappe, score. Even I can do it! You have to feel for Alonso, and his opposite number in Pep is a very similar personality as a coach. But obviously a bit more mental. Manchester City had the better of the game and saw out a first half lead to win fairly comfortably in the end. Haaland scored just his 2nd in 6 games. Washed up.
Game Of The Round:
Villareal 2-3 FC København
The great Danes forced them selves back into play-odd contention with a big win on the road in Spain.
Their victory has finally condemned Villareal to an early elimination, it turns out having just 1 point from the first 6 matches isn’t enough to win the Champions League. Who knew?
Villareal are in third place just a point behind Real Madrid in LaLiga with a game in hand. 11 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses from 15 games in a difficult league is incredible for the Yellow Submarine, but their Champions League form could do with some Help! They’ve had one of the trickier draws, but a loss away at Pafos is inexcusable for any of the sides from the top divisions.
As for the Danes, they occupy the final play-off spot with 2 games remaining and are dreaming of making it to the next stage. Napoli and Barcelona will provide stern tests, and may seem insurmountable, but anything is possible in this competition. København hero Andreas Cornelius popped up with a last-gasp winner to keep the dream alive despite a prolonged spell of Villareal pressure.
It will be difficult, but they can do it. Could we see the Danes in the next round?
Player Of The Round:
It’s coming home. It’s coming home. It’s coming. Football’s coming home.
Left-back has been a problem position for England for a while now, with Luke Shaw incapable of staying fit and the rest of the options being lacklustre or right-backs playing out of position. Up steps Uncle Pep once again to develop us another superstar, Nico O’Reilly.
The 20 year-old picked up a first career Champions League goal at the Bernebau, there aren’t many better places to announce yourself on the big stage. His emergence as City’s premier attacking full-back option this season has been amazing to see, beating out big summer signing Rayan Ait-Nouri for a starting spot. He is as adept going forward as he is at defending, notably giving Mohammed Salah a horrible day out at the Etihad earlier this season as well as bothering Fede Valverde all day this time out. These aren’t kids, these are established world-class pros and O’Reilly is having none of their nonsense. He ran the show on the biggest stage and should now have his name down on Thomas Tuchel’s squad list in permanent ink.
Man of the match, goalscorer, defensive rock. Nico O’Reilly, remember the name.
Table:
Atalanta are upsetting the Champions League boys club in the top 8, while everyone else up there is exactly who you’d expect. For all the excitement and amazing fixtures the new format throws up, it really does benefit the bigger sides. Thank God they finally got a bit of help from UEFA, the governing bodies of football have long neglected to support teams like Real Madrid and PSG.
Teams have started dropping out slowly but surely, next gameweek should see another bunch of casualties too. Villareal and Kairat are officially gone, and anyone on less than 4 points may as well be. Even the 4 point sides may not qualify with 2 wins from the final 2.
I’ll be back to cover the next round in the new year, and then we’ll have a look at all the sweet, sweet permutations going into round 8.
Two to go. It’s getting nervy from top to bottom. Except Arsenal, they’re alright I suppose.
White Noise 