Africa-Press – Botswana. The fifth round of the group stage of the Football Champions League can practically close the qualifications for the round of 16.
With five teams already qualified (Naples, Brugge, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Manchester City). And it has no chance of being “closed”, as Benfica, which only depends on itself, and FC Porto can secure the ‘eighth’, and Sporting will already be out of the fight for qualification.
The ‘incarnates’, still undefeated in the competition, are in second place in Group H, with the same eight points as leaders Paris Saint-Germain, and a victory over Juventus at home guarantees qualification.
A draw also serves Benfica, as long as the French don’t lose to Maccabi Haifa. For PSG to qualify, they have to beat the Israelis or draw, as long as Juventus doesn’t win at Luz. In Group B, with the surprising Club Brugge already in place, FC Porto can also guarantee their presence in the next phase, needing, for that, to win in Belgium and hope that Atlético de Madrid does not win against Bayer Leverkusen.
Sporting could be out of the “8th”, if they lose in the visit to Tottenham – it is determined in case of victory – and Marseille win at home to Eintracht Frankfurt, in Group D. If they win and Sporting lose, the French guarantee qualification, as they have an advantage in direct confrontation over the lions.
Napoli have already secured their spot in Group A and could be joined by Liverpool, who need just one point in their visit to Ajax.
With Bayern already through to ‘Pule’ C, Inter Milan are close to qualifying, just beating Viktoria Plzen at home, the latter, without points, a result that would rule out Barcelona, who have a disadvantage in the direct confrontation with the Italians. .
In Group F, Leipzig can follow Real Madrid, but they will have to beat the European champions at home and hope that Shakhtar Donetsk do not score against Celtic.
Manchester City is already through to Group G and can be joined by Borussia, who, however, have to win at the English champions’ home so they don’t have to wait for the Seville-Copenhagen result. A draw in Spain sets the Germans straight from the start.
Only in Group E there is no possibility of getting everything defined. Chelsea or Salzburg, who face each other in Austria, can guarantee the pass. The winner to ensure continuity in the ‘millionaire’ league.
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