From looking like a procession midway through, some of the results on matchday 5 mean we now have a fair amount at stake on the last round of matches in the Champions League group stages. Six matches in particular stand out because neither protagonist has secured their progress to the knockouts. These are:
Lazio vs Brugge
Leipzig vs United
Real vs Gladbach
Inter vs Shakhtar
Ajax vs Atalanta
Salzburg vs Atletico
Now, it wouldn’t be accurate to call these games direct knockouts. In four of these matches a draw will take a team through — Lazio, United, Atletico and Atalanta. Specifically, when looking at Lazio, United and Atletico, the fact that their opponents will have to chase a win plays directly into their strengths. With Atalanta, one can’t see this team playing for a draw. By common consensus, one of the best games of this stage was the first meeting between Ajax and Atalanta and I for one, wouldn’t be surprised to see the reverse fixture being played out in exactly the same way. That then leaves us with Group A which has thrilled us with its surprises and now on the last day, there are a variety of permutations available. My head tells me that Real and Gladbach will see it through with a draw, but Inter on the last day of group stages are guaranteed drama (Exhibit A 2018-19, Exhibit B 2019-20). I wouldn’t want to be a betting man on these games. After all, even in one of its more mundane seasons, the Champions League has somehow found a way to keep things interesting. Surprises are guaranteed. Let’s see how this pans out.