London, Dec 6: Barcelona’s first Champions League campaign without Lionel Messi in nearly two decades may come to an end in the group stage if it doesn’t find a way to beat Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
It would be the first time since the 2003-04 season that the Catalan club didn’t play in the knockout stage of the competition. Barcelona is second to Bayern in Group E, and two points ahead of third-place Benfica.
But a draw or a loss in Germany would allow Benfica to advance with a home win against already eliminated Dynamo Kyiv.
Atlético Madrid is another Spanish club in danger of not advancing, as it sits last in Group B. It has to win at second-place Porto on Tuesday and hope that AC Milan draws or loses at home against group-winner Liverpool.
Villarreal can advance in Group F on Wednesday if it avoids defeat at Atalanta, which will move on with a win.
In Group G, Lille, Salzburg, Sevilla and Wolfsburg can still advance, with Lille and Salzburg needing draws. Lille is at Wolfsburg and Salzburg plays Sevilla.
Titleholder Chelsea and 13-time European champion Real Madrid are among those looking to clinch first place in their groups, which is more likely to secure an easier match in the last 16. Both teams have secured a last-16 spot.
Chelsea is tied on points with Juventus in Group H and is ahead courtesy of a superior head-to-head record, so a win at Zenit St. Petersburg on Wednesday will guarantee top spot for the defending champions.
Juventus finishes group play at home to Malmo, which won the Swedish league on Saturday to retain its title.
Madrid, meanwhile, hosts Inter Milan Tuesday in a match between two teams who have already secured a last-16 spot and who can both still win Group D.
Madrid leads Inter by two points so a point will be enough for Carlo Ancelotti’s team. Then there’s the intriguing Group G finale on Wednesday, where all four teams – Lille, Salzburg, Sevilla and Wolfsburg – can still finish first.
Meanwhile, Club Brugge, Leipzig and Young Boys have no chance of reaching the last 16 but they can still join Borussia Dortmund, Sheriff and Zenit St. Petersburg in the playoffs for the Europa League knockout phase. (AP)
