Champions look to avoid stage fright | Darragh Collins
It’s make or break time in this week’s Champions League action. There are 13 places in the round of 16 already filled, with holders Chelsea among the six teams in contention for the remaining three spots are up for grabs in the final group games this Tuesday and Wednesday.First place in four groups will also be decided as will the identities of five of the eight teams that will transfer to the UEFA Europa League round of 32 by finishing third.
Rafa Benitez and his Chelsea side have a massive game on their hands with the opportunity to gain qualification beckoning if the holders manage to overcome the bottom of Group E, Nordsjælland at home. However their fate is not in their hands as Juventus will finish first with a win against already qualified Shakhtar, and will go through with a draw if Chelsea fail to win. With Rafa after installing a new more organised looking Chelsea, the Blues will be hoping that he can provide the team with his Champions League magic in their quest to win back their trophy.Celtic too have a fierce battle on their hands as they will face off with Spartak Moscow. After defeating Spanish giants Barcelona in an epic encounter in Celtic Park, they will now be hoping that Barcelona can do them a favour and defeat Benfica for them; Celtic then need to better Benfica’s result to secure qualification. Celtic looked strong as they defeated Hearts 4-0 on Wednesday night; however they cannot afford another slip up as they had against Benfica, and Inverness in the SPL. With their fervent home support on their side, they will be very difficult to keep down.Arsenal have progressed from their group for the 13th year running, but to end in first place in Group B they must win at Olympiacos and hope Schalke fail to defeat Montpellier. Schalke have shown that they are no pushovers and with Klass Jan Huntelaar, the only man to score in every group game this season, on form, French champions Montpellier will have to be at their best to stop the Germans.As regards to the remaining Premier League contingent, Manchester United are through, and one can only imagine that next week’s game against Cluj, who are vying with Galatasaray for progression, will be an opportunity to grant some of their reserve players some first team action. On the other side of Manchester things are not so rosy; bottom of Group D, City will be hoping that they can secure a victory over Dortmund while Ajax, who are hosting this year’s Europa League final, cannot afford to lose at the Bernabau if they wish to show up at their own party.Otherwise the most potentially exciting game will take place in Group A, where domestic highfliers PSG and Porto will square off in an attempt to top their group.[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY1p0AT47Is]One could ask the question, is it important to finish top of your group, or is it merely necessary just to get through the group stage? With Barcelona topping their group, as are United, and no one wanting a trip to an inform Dortmund side, I would argue that it is.The Champions League is looking quite a tight competition this year, certainly more so than other years, and with Barcelona starting to show their weaknesses, it looks like one of those years where anything can happen. This year’s knockout stages could be one for the ages.