Matchday 5 of the UEFA Champions League Group stage took place this week. Many games across the two-day schedule brought lots of surprises. Unfortunately, for fans of some of the world’s most-supported clubs, it brought disappointment as well. Some of the groups have already been decided, whereas there are some still with knockout stage qualification on the line in Matchday 6. Before the final group stage matches take place next week, let’s take a look at some of the biggest storylines.
Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Juventus all eliminated
One of the biggest stories throughout the UCL group stage this season has been the struggle of these giant clubs. All three are widely known for their success in this competition, especially in the group stage, but not this campaign. Through 5 matches thus far, not one of these teams has recorded more than a single victory and even in those victories, their competition was much weaker than them. As each of these clubs are dealing with their own issues, one thing is the same. None of them will play their 6th and final match of the group stage with what they had hoped for, a chance at knockout stage qualification.
Napoli, Bayern continue UCL dominance
Both Napoli and Bayern head into Matchday 6 of the UCL group stage next week with a 5-0-0 record in their groups, respectively. In Group C, Bayern Munich have scored 16 goals and conceded only 2 through their first 5 matches. Similarly, in Group A, Napoli have put 20 goals in the net and allowed only 4. Napoli are unbeaten across all competitions this season and have been one of the bright storylines about European football this year. The Italian side travel to Northwest England next week to face Liverpool in the final matchday of the group stage. It would take a 7 goal-thumping from the Reds to overtake Napoli and win the group. Bayern, who only have one defeat across all comps thus far, welcome Inter Milan to the Allianz Arena next week.
FC Porto clinch qualification behind All-Time GK performance
Primeira Liga’s FC Porto have qualified for the UCL knockout stage after a 4-0 victory at Club Brugge on Wednesday. Along with the squad’s 4 goal performance, Goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved a penalty. It did not count because the referee ruled that he came off his line early, but he saved the re-taken second attempt. The Portuguese-international is the first keeper to save three penalties through the group stage in the UEFA Champions League Group stage era (2003- ). Porto’s Mehdi Taremi led the way attacking, scoring a brace. Porto hosts Atletico Madrid next week on the final matchday in a game that has little to play for. The opposite of what many thought would be a possible winner-take-all fixture.
Group’s D & E have everything to play for
In Group E, although one of the matches will have no knockout stage implications, there is still a ton to play for. Chelsea, who have already qualified through the group and are looking to finish 1st, welcome Dinamo Zagreb to Stamford Bridge on matchday 6. Dinamo are currently last in the group, but depending on next week’s results could still clinch a 3rd place Europa League spot. The other matchup in Group E is one of the most exciting games to look forward to. AC Milan sits just one point ahead of RB Salzburg for a spot in the knockout stage. Milan will host the Austrian side next week in a game that Salzburg must win in order to advance. San Siro will be absolutely rocking for the home side as they only need a draw to qualify out of the group.
In Group D, however, both matches have knockout stage qualification on the line. Only two points separate the 1st and 4th place teams in the table. This sets up for a dramatic finish to the group. Earlier this week, 4th place Eintracht Frankfurt hosted Marseille. The home side won the game 2-1 and leapfrogged Marseille into 3rd in the group. This result proved crucial for Frankfurt’s UCL dreams to stay alive. In this groups other matchday 5 fixture, not only was there the latest of drama but also, qualification was taken away. After trailing much of the game 1-0, Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur scored to bring the game level in the 80’. Just 15 minutes later, in the 90+5’, Harry Kane was believed to have scored to put Spurs up 2-1. Unfortunately, Spurs were just barely offside and after over 3 minutes of stoppage, VAR disallowed the goal. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium erupted in disgust as that would have been the deciding goal to clinch qualification for the club from Northeast London. Instead, Group D now has craziness written all over it going into Matchday 6. Tottenham travel to Southern France to take on Marseille in the Stade Velodrome. A match they need to at least draw in to qualify through the group. The side on the positive end of the VAR decision, Sporting, gets Eintracht Frankfurt at home on the final matchday. If Tottenham wins or draws, then a Sporting-Frankfurt draw would see Sporting through on goal differential. If Marseille take 3 points from Tottenham, then pandemonium could ensue. It would then come down to the result fixture (Sporting v Frankfurt) and in case of a tie, goal differential would be the decider.
The final group stage match days will take place next Tuesday, Nov 2 and Wednesday, Nov 3.
Featured Image Courtesy of Andreas Gebert/ Reuters
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