The last day of the Champions League phase is almost here, since on Wednesday, February 22, the 36 teams will start at 3 pm et in Paramount+. Since only Liverpool and Barcelona have achieved positions in the first eight of the table, there is a lot for playing while things come to an end, especially with teams such as Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain fighting to reach the elimination phase.
With the change of a traditional group phase to the new Swiss format of the Champions League, these next games will not look like anything we have seen before, with teams changing minute by minute as the goals accumulate on the last day of The league phase. Therefore, it is a good opportunity to take a look at what are the games to which you have to be attentive on Wednesday, since it will be a trip upside down.
5. Barcelona vs.atalanta
The Barcelona position in the round of 16 may already be insured, but with a victory and a defeat of Liverpool, there is the possibility that Hansi Flick’s men end as the number one team in the inaugural phase of the League. Persuring the story is always attractive and having the opportunity to find the best path to the final is also intriguing. But traveling to Spain will find a formidable opposition in Atalanta. The Italian team needs a victory to ensure a direct position in the round of 16 and, depending on how things go, a draw may be enough. With one of the best defenses in the tournament, Atalanta can test the high flight attack of Barcelona in what will be a tense clash.
4. Lille against Feyenoord
Duyed with 13 points, both teams are in the elimination phase of the tournament, but they are also out of the first eight due to goals difference. Therefore, a victory of any of them could be fundamental in their possibilities to move from the round of 16. In a match that will feature some of Concacaf’s best strikers, the Canadian international Jonathan David and the Mexican international Santiago Giménez, there will be a regional rivalry. on exhibition too. For teams that would have been happy to reach the elimination phase, the reward of being in the top eight would be an achievement.
3. Juventus against Benfica
Looking at these paper names, this is not a match that would be expected to be closer to the end of the table, but Juventus cannot find the background of the network and the Benfica cannot maintain the advantage, seeing these teams. occupying position 17 and 21, respectively. Juventus has assured a place in the round of 16, but Benfica is one of the teams that will fear that a defeat can leave them out of the round of 16 for the second consecutive season. The campaigns of both teams began well before falling into chaos, so they will look for victories to change vibrations and save themselves.
2. Manchester City against Club Bruges
Win and you will be in the knockouts. The objective here is simple, but the fascinating thing is that the winner will probably occupy the place of the loser in the elimination phase. A draw only helps witches, since the City needs a victory to even have an opportunity to be in the top 24, something that demonstrates to what extent its campaign has been a disaster. Receiving witches at home seems like a game that City should win easily, but nothing has been easy for Pep Guardiola’s men this season and that is why they are even in this situation. Being out would be a historical moment, since the City has been a regular team in the round of 16, and much deeper, but it is not the only European power in danger.
1. VFB Stuttgart against PSG
The PSG situation would be more serious without his recent victory over City, but that does not mean that he is doing well on a hard trip outside the home against one of the hottest teams in the UCL. The Stuttgart has won three followed games to change its own panorama and is now in 24th place during its first campaign in the Champions League. The PSG occupies the 22nd position with 11 points and a draw could be enough to overcome the goal difference, but leaving things at random could end in heartbreak. Both teams can easily write down, but when it comes to defending, there is much to be desired, so, taking place in Germany, it is an issue to see. The goals will fly and what is at stake could not be greater.