Four UEFA Champions League groups conclude on Tuesday, and there’s plenty left to play for.
The focus of Tuesday’s action is on Group B, the most open of the Champions League foursomes. Entering the final round of matches, three teams are vying for two spots in the knockout rounds. Both on eight points, Napoli and Benfica collide knowing that a win would seal a spot in the knockout rounds. Even a draw may good enough, depending on Besiktas’ result against Dynamo Kiev as the Turkish side looks to erase a one-point deficit.
Group C is still open on a technicality, but third-place Borussia Monchengladbach sits three points and five goals behind Manchester City. That makes a Europa League berth the most likely destination for the German club, who takes on Barcelona while the English side takes on Celtic.
The interest in Group D lies with Atletico Madrid, who takes on Bayern Munich in a clash of two tournament favorites. Last year’s runners-up, Atletico Madrid can seal a perfect group stage on Tuesday with the team’s sixth win in as many games. However, it will need to come at the expense of a Bayern team, although one that may be weakened with little to play for.
Finally, there’s Group A, which will see Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain advance regardless of Tuesday’s scorelines. First place is still on the line, though, as the two sides are tied on points, making Tuedsay about more than just housekeeping at the end of a long UCL group stage.
Here’s a closer look at Tuesday’s UCL action:
GAMES TO WATCH
Atletico Madrid (15 points) vs. Bayern Munich (9 points), Tuesday, 2:45 p.m., ESPN 2
Injuries of note: Kingsley Coman is set to miss several months, while Bayern star Jerome Boateng is out due to a muscle injury, making Javi Martinez the likely partner for Mats Hummels in defense. Atletico Madrid is likely to rest several regulars including Thiago and Felipe Luis, Alessio Cerci is set to miss out due to a knee injury.
Key to the game: Both sides are through, and pride may be the biggest factor, but Atletico Madrid can become only the seventh team to navigate a perfect group stage. Seeking their eighth win in eight, Atletico’s defense will certainly be key, considering they haven’t allowed a goal in four straight matches.
Player to watch: Given how strong Atletico Madrid is in defense, it’ll be up to the Bayern playmakers to make a moment of magic. Generally, Thomas Muller is a player that can be relied upon to create those moments and, if he’s in the lineup, he’s a player that could certainly open the game up a big.
Quote: “We didn’t achieve what we were hoping for,” said Bayern manager Carlo Ancelotti, but against Atletico we want to put on a good performance. Motivation is high because we are playing such a tough opponent. We know we haven’t always been at our best this season. From the knockout stages onwards we need to play much better because the standard is higher.”
Barcelona (12 points) vs. Borussia Monchengladbach (5 points), Tuesday, 2:45 p.m., Fox Sports 2
Injuries of note: Both Neymar and Ivan Rakitic are suspended for Tuesday’s match, while Gerard Pique may also be held out due to a hamstring issue. On the other side, several Monchengladbach regulars are likely to miss out, including Patrick Hermann, captai Lars Stindl and forward Josip Drmic.
Key to the game: Borussia Monchengladbach got off to a hot start, scoring early in the opening leg before conceding two in a 2-1 defeat. If they’re to top Barcelona on Tuesday, the German club will need to jump on a shuffled Barca lineup early. If they do fall behind, they’ll fall right into Barca’s vice grip.
Player to watch: Having recently returned from injury, Andres Iniesta is back in the Barca lineup. Given his five-week absence, Iniesta could use game-time as he pushes back into form with more important matches approaching.
Quote: “We will be up against one of the best teams in the world but we can compete with them,” said Monchengladbach’s Andre Schubert. “We have to think about how we curb their attacking prowess. We have a lot to think about – we did okay in the first meeting, but home games are different to away ones.”
Benfica (8 points) vs. Napoli (8 points), Tuesday, 2:45 p.m., ESPN 3/Fox Soccer 2 Go
Injuries of note: The biggest absence is almost certainly Brazilian goalscorer Jonas, who is out of the Benfica lineup due to a foot injury. Fullbacks Grimaldo and Eliseu are also likely to miss out, while Napoli will only be missing long-term absence Arkadiusz Milik.
Key to the game: Napoli has been cold in recent UCL matches, amassing just two points from three games. However, in the first fixture between these two sides, the Italian side pummeled the Benfica defense in a 4-2 win. Given injuries, fullback will be an issue for Benfica, making it vital for Jose Callejon and Lorenzo Insigne to make things difficult on the wings.
Player to watch: With Jonas out, pressure falls on the shoulders of Greek forward Kostas Mitroglou. The Benfica forward is much more physical than the absent Jonas, and his ability to hold the ball for dangerous playmakers like Eduardo Salvio and Pizzi could be the key to opening the Napoli backline.
Quote: “The players are ready and they know the importance of this game,” said Benfica manager Rui Vitoria. “We are masters of our own destiny and we will treat this game as if it were a final. Judging by what we have done up until now in the section, I believe we are not done yet in the UEFA Champions League this season.”
Dynamo Kiev (2 points) vs. Besiktas (7 points), Tuesday, 2:45 p.m., ESPN 3/Fox Soccer 2 Go
Injuries of note: Oleksandr Tymchyk and Danilo Silva are out for the hosts, while Besiktas will be without several key pieces. Defenders Rhodolfo and Caner Erkin will be out of Tuesday’s match, joining midfielder Anderson Taliscao, who is dealing with a foot injury.
Key to the game: Dynamo Kiev will look to avoid the unfortunate distinction of going winless through the group stage, while Besiktas knows a win will send them through. Dynamo Kiev is expected to start a full-strength lineup, and have nothing to lose when it comes to attacking the Besiktas defense. An open game could play into the hand of the Turkish club, who could exploit the hosts thanks to their significantly better attacking unit.
Player to watch: Ricardo Quaresma is consistently a danger, but other players will also need to step up. One candidate is Cameroonian forward Vincent Aboubakar, who scored two goals against Dynamo Kiev in last season’s Champions League while with Porto.
Quote: “Games like this are always important for any team but we have more reason to want the win,” said Besiktas boss Şenol Güneş. “A victory will have a huge impact not only on us but on Turkish football too. So now we are thinking only about how to achieve this goal and take this historic chance. For me, this is the most important game of the year.”
Paris Saint-Germain (11 points) vs. Ludogorets (2 points), Tuesday, 2:45 p.m., ESPN 3/Fox Soccer 2 Go
Basel (2 points) vs. Arsenal (11 points), Tuesday, 2:45 p.m., ESPN 3/Fox Soccer 2 Go
Manchester CIty (8 points) vs. Celtic (7 points), Tuesday, 2:45 p.m., ESPN 3/Fox Soccer 2 Go
PSV Eindhoven (1 points) vs. Rostov (4 points), Tuesday, 2:45 p.m., ESPN 3/Fox Soccer 2 Go