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UEFA Champions League group stage of the 2005/06 season will end with decisive battles on Wednesday. As the eighth-finals "train" approaches, with six spots remaining, sixteen clubs will try to jump in, while the four teams that have secured the first places in the groups can relax and prepare for future knockout matches.
The portal EuroFootball.com reviews the situation and possible scenarios in groups E-H before the final matches on Tuesday.
Group E
Standings: (Position, team, played, won, drawn, lost, goals, points) 1. "Milan" 5 2 2 1 9 4 8 2. "Schalke" 5 2 2 1 10 6 8 3. "PSV" 5 2 1 2 2 6 7 4. "Fenerbahce" 5 1 1 3 7 12 4
Matchday 6: "Milan" - "Schalke" "PSV" - "Fenerbahce"
The situation in Group E is interesting - here, just one point separates three clubs, and Istanbul's "Fenerbahce" can no longer avoid elimination from the Champions League. The most important match will take place in Italy, as the winner of the duel between "Milan" and Gelsenkirchen's "Schalke" would win the group.
For the "Milan" team to advance to the next stage, even a 0-0, 1-1, or 2-2 draw would be enough, while a more scoring draw would satisfy the "Schalke" team - they would surpass their opponents based on away goals, as the first meeting of the teams in Germany ended 2-2.
Meanwhile, Eindhoven's "PSV" team will host "Fenerbahce," knowing that they need a win to progress to the next stage, while a draw would only be enough if "Milan" loses to "Schalke." On the other hand, "Fenerbahce" will seek a victory against "PSV" to aim for the third place and continue on to the UEFA Cup.
Group F (Teams marked with a star have already secured a place in the round of 16)
Standings: 1. "Lyon" 5 4 1 0 11 3 13 * 2. "Real" 5 3 1 1 9 6 10 * 3. "Rosenborg" 5 1 1 3 5 9 4 4. "Olympiacos" 5 0 1 4 5 12 1
All positions in this group are already decided. "Lyon" won the group and advances to the round of 16 along with Madrid's "Real," Trondheim's "Rosenborg" will reach the UEFA Cup in third place, and "Olympiacos" remains fourth - teams just have last matches to play.
Group G
Standings: 1. "Liverpool" 5 3 2 0 6 1 11 * 2. "Chelsea" 5 3 1 1 7 1 10 * 3. "Betis" 5 2 1 2 3 6 7 4. "Anderlecht" 5 0 0 5 0 8 0
Matchday 6: "Chelsea" - "Liverpool" "Betis" - "Anderlecht"
In Group G, the question of the first place is still unresolved, and it will be answered in the duel between "Liverpool" and London's "Chelsea." Liverpool, playing away and having a point advantage over their opponents, needs just a draw to win the group, while "Chelsea" needs a victory.
Seville's "Betis" has already secured third place and will enter the UEFA Cup, so Brussels' "Anderlecht" will simply try to end their record-breaking streak of 12 consecutive defeats in the tournament.
Group H
Standings: 1. "Inter" 5 4 0 1 8 3 12 * 2. "Rangers" 5 1 3 1 6 6 6 3. "Artmedia" 5 1 2 2 5 9 5 4. "Porto" 5 1 1 3 8 9 4
Matchday 6: "Rangers" - "Inter" "Artmedia" - "Porto"
Milan's "Inter," having already won the group, is one of the four teams that can relax, while there will be a fierce battle for the second position.
Glasgow's "Rangers" have the best chance and can secure this position with a victory against "Inter" or a draw if Bratislava's "Artmedia" does not win against "Porto." The Slovak team playing at home needs to win and hope for a "Rangers" defeat, while "Porto" can only bring a ticket to the round of 16 with a win in their match and a loss for "Rangers."
