Manchester City (17th, 8 points)
In poor form, Manchester City is far from the standards that are attributed to it each season. Candidate for the top 8, Manchester City must perform flawlessly to achieve this. Hooked by Inter Milan (0-0) before beating Slovan Bratislava (4-0) and Sparta Prague (5-0), Manchester City fell from high with a heavy setback against Sporting CP (4-1 ) and a humiliating comeback from 3-0 to 3-3 against Feyenoord. With 8 points, Manchester City should qualify without too much trembling, but the top 8 is becoming complicated to reach. Having to acquire at least 7 points from the last three matches, the Sky Blues will have to negotiate two big duels this Wednesday against Juventus and on January 22 against Paris Saint-Germain. The last match against FC Bruges will not be neglected since the Belgians will fight until the end for their qualification.
Real Madrid (24th, 6 points)
Seeing Real Madrid lose three times in the Champions League is already rare, but in the group stage, it’s even a first for the Merengues. However, it started well with a victory against Stuttgart (3-1), but in the process, Casa Blanca beat Lille (1-0). Just behind, Real Madrid bounced back against Borussia Dortmund despite a complicated start to the match (5-2), but it was only to be missed against AC Milan (3-1) and Liverpool (2-0). Only six points out of fifteen possible, Real Madrid will struggle to reach the top 8 and will have to fight to ensure their presence in the top 24 in order to avoid early elimination from the group stage. Especially since the next match against Atalanta this Tuesday will not be a health journey. Behind, Casa Blanca will host Red Bull Salzburg before traveling to Brest. Three to four points will be enough for the Merengues who are not yet in danger, but will disappoint terribly, especially given their status as outgoing winners.
Paris Saint-Germain (25th, 4 points)
First of twelve clubs provisionally eliminated from the competition, Paris Saint-Germain missed the start of the campaign. Narrowly winning against Girona (1-0) in the final moments, the Ile-de-France club encountered real offensive problems as evidenced by the setbacks against Arsenal (2-0), Atlético de Madrid (2-1) and Bayern Munich (1-0) and the draw conceded against PSV Eindhoven (1-1). With their backs against the wall, the Ile-de-France club will have to do better in the last three matches. Paris Saint-Germain travels to Salzburg this Tuesday and will have to negotiate the reception of Manchester City and a match against Stuttgart. Theoretically, Luis Enrique’s team will need two victories to ensure qualification. On paper, it’s affordable for Ile-de-France residents, but you won’t have to make as many mistakes as before.
RB Leipzig (34th, 0 points)
Not necessarily a candidate for victory, RB Leizpig nevertheless remains a hair’s breadth from the Champions League since the German club was a semi-finalist in 2020 and three times eighth finalist since. Capable of playing dirty tricks on the favorite, RB Leipzig completely missed its competition and found itself almost eliminated. Beaten by Atlético de Madrid (2-1), Juventus (3-2), Liverpool (1-0), Celtic Glasgow (3-1) and Inter Milan (1-0), Leipzig lost Elsewhere led in three of these five matches before losing. With zero points and having to challenge Aston Villa, Sporting CP and Sturm Graz to end their campaign, Leipzig no longer has its destiny in hand and must be a hit to have a final dream of a crazy comeback.
Parions Sport en Ligne doubles your first bet, up to €90
bonus and offers you €10 credit with the code FM10. A 2-1 Parisian victory against Salzburg earns you up to €675.
Follow the SALZBURG – PSG match on CANAL+FOOT. Click here to subscribe and access the match.
