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Ten clubs have already secured their places in the UEFA Champions League round of 16, but the intrigue before the final 6th group stage matchday is still alive - six teams can still catch the "express train" to the elite tournament's knockout stage. All teams that have secured the first two spots will advance, while the rest in third place will have to settle for the opportunity to continue their European campaign in the UEFA Europa League. EuroFootball.com takes a look at the situation in Groups A, B, C, and D ahead of the decisive stage matches.
Group A
Standings:
1. "Chelsea" 5 3 1 1 8-4 10 2. "Werder" 5 3 1 1 7-3 10 3. "Barcelona" 5 2 2 1 10-4 8 4. "Levski" 5 0 0 5 1-15 0
Final matchday:
"Barcelona" - "Werder" "Chelsea" - "Levski"
Since "Chelsea," despite the setbacks in Germany in the 5th round, has already secured a ticket to the round of 16, the battle for the other spot will be between the Spanish champion "Barcelona" and the Bundesliga leader Bremen "Werder." The defending European club champions from Catalonia must win at home to avoid a fiasco and become the first team eliminated from the group stage of the Champions League, while the Germans must hope not to lose and "demote" their famous opponents to the Europa League. Meanwhile, "Chelsea" can secure the top spot with a victory against Sofia's "Levski," which has yet to earn a single point in the tournament.
Group B
Standings:
1. "Bayern" 5 3 2 0 9-2 11 2. "Inter" 5 3 0 2 4-4 9 3. "Sporting" 5 1 2 2 2-3 5 4. "Spartak" 5 0 2 3 4-10 2
Final matchday:
"Sporting" - "Spartak" "Bayern" - "Inter"
Milan's "Inter" has already secured their spot in the round of 16 with a win over main rival Sporting Lisbon, and Munich's "Bayern" only needed a draw in Moscow to also advance, secure the top spot, and further complicate Spartak's situation. In the final round, the teams will determine their positions - "Bayern" will host "Inter" and seek a result that satisfies both, while the leaders of the Italian league will try to extend their winning streak and secure the top spot. A win away is necessary for "Spartak," as only by beating "Sporting" can they claim third place and a chance to play in the Europa League.
Group C
Standings:
1. "Liverpool" 5 4 1 0 9-2 13 2. "PSV" 5 3 1 1 5-3 10 3. "Bordeaux" 5 1 1 3 3-6 4 4. "Galatasaray" 5 0 1 4 4-10 1
Final matchday:
"Galatasaray" - "Liverpool" "PSV" - "Bordeaux"
One of the two groups where everything was already decided before the penultimate matchday - "Liverpool" defeated PSV at home to win the group, with the Dutch club finishing second and securing the third position, finally opening their goal account in the tournament by beating Bordeaux in the fight for a place in the Europa League. In the final matches, teams will play for pride and try to at least equal their opponents in points, with "Liverpool" having the most fun as they face "Galatasaray" in the same Istanbul stadium where they triumphed in the memorable 2005 Champions League final against Milan.
Group D
Standings:
1. "Valencia" 5 4 1 0 12-5 13 2. "Roma" 5 2 1 2 7-4 7 3. "Shakhtar" 5 1 2 2 5-10 5 4. "Olympiacos" 5 0 2 3 5-10 2
Final matchday:
"Olympiacos" - "Shakhtar" "Roma" - "Valencia"
Utilizing the unexpected setback of "Roma" in Donetsk, a victory over Piraeus "Olympiacos" allowed the Valencia club to secure the top spot in the group with a six-point lead. In the final round, "Shakhtar" still has theoretical hopes of not being eliminated, but the Ukrainians need not only to beat "Olympiacos" away but also hope that the injury-ridden "Valencia" will lose against the "Roma" team. If this does not happen, the Donetsk team can only vie for the third spot - it would be enough for them not to lose to the Greek team, who still have slim hopes.
