The Champions League continues this Wednesday with the end of the 5th and penultimate day of the group stage. If Real Madrid and Bayern Munich sleep soundly, RC Lens, Arsenal and Manchester United will experience crucial times in view of their European future.
Beating Arsenal, vice-champion of England, at Félix-Bollaert on October 3 (2-1) was an achievement. Doing it again at the Emirates Stadium this Wednesday (9 p.m.) would be on a different scale. But there are reasons to believe it for RC Lens, which grows a little more with each continental match. There is no team that Arsenal has faced more in the Champions League without managing to beat them (1 draw, 2 defeats).
“The level that awaits us on Wednesday is still a big mountain stage, out of category, we will have to rise to this level,” imagined coach Franck Haise after the Artesian victory in Clermont on Saturday (0- 3). Currently 3rd in Group B with three points ahead of Sevilla, Lens could also bounce back in the Europa League if it stays in this place. A nice consolation prize for a club which had not played in Europe since 2007-08, and which has much more to gain than to lose.
William Saliba (22 years old, Arsenal): It is in this type of meeting in the Champions League, which can allow Arsenal to validate their ticket for the round of 16, that William Saliba is now expected. The defender is fighting for a starting place with the Blues where competition is fierce (Konaté, L. Hernandez, Upamecano…). Saliba is “very successful at the club,” praised coach Didier Deschamps. Indisputable holder of the Premier League leader, he will be a big obstacle on the way to Lens on Wednesday.
Anthony Martial (27 years old, Manchester United): Often injured last season, Anthony Martial was sometimes left behind with the Red Devils. But he is still there, against all odds. He scored his first goal of the season in the Premier League against Everton last Sunday (0-3), taking advantage of Rasmus Hojlund’s injury to start. The Dane should not be 100% for the trip to Galatasaray (6:45 p.m.). Perhaps a new chance to shine for Martial who played 9, 1, 4 then zero minutes in four C1 matches this season.
Mathys Tel (18 years old, Bayern Munich): Bayern Munich is already qualified for the round of 16, and it is partly thanks to Mathys Tel. The young striker has 2 goals and an assist in the Champions League despite zero starts. A final figure which could change given the low stakes involved in the reception in Copenhagen (9 p.m.). Friday, Thomas Tuchel made no changes against Cologne (0-1 victory) and was a little angry with himself, hoping that the replacements would not “hold it against him”. If he wants to be forgiven, Tuchel could leave his star Hary Kane to rest in favor of Tel, Bayern’s unofficial supersub.
SEE ALSO – Kane’s goal during Bayern’s victory in Cologne last Friday (0-1)
They will also be out: Olivier Boscagli (PSV Eindhoven), Tanguy Ndombélé (Galatasaray), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan) Dayot Upamecano and Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Loïc Badé and Boubakary Soumaré (Sevilla FC ), Raphaël Varane (Manchester United)
Bayern Munich (4 wins in 4 matches) is assured of first place in group A. Behind, it is the fight between Copenhagen (4 points), Galatasaray (4) and Manchester United (3), the only team in the group to fear elimination (see below). In Group B, Arsenal would qualify in the event of a victory against Lens, and the Sang et Or eliminated if PSV Eindhoven beats Sevilla at the same time. The Andalusians (2 points) have no choice but to beat their Dutch opponent to maintain hope.
Like Bayern, Real Madrid are also already qualified for the round of 16 in Group C. Naples would also be qualified provided they win in Madrid (9 p.m.) and would thus eliminate Braga. Union Berlin (1 point) is already out. Finally, there is no more suspense in Group D: Inter Milan and Real Sociedad will still be in C1 in the spring, not RB Salzburg nor Benfica.
Yes, because the Red Devils no longer have their destiny in their hands. Even if they beat Galatasaray on Wednesday then Bayern Munich in two weeks, the Mancuniens would be behind Copenhagen in Group A if the Danish club also wins its two matches. Worse: a defeat in Turkey would mean the premature end of their journey in C1.
Three-time winner of the Big Ears Cup, Manchester United had a checkered start to the season, including in the Premier League (8 wins, zero draws, 5 defeats). His last three successes against Fulham (0-1), Luton Town (1-0) and Everton (0-3) have reassured him. “We are very optimistic and confident,” said coach Erik ten Hag before the victory at Everton. We need better to face the Istanbul hell of Galatasaray.
Quarter-finalist last year, champion of Portugal and placed in pot 1, Benfica has never had any illusions in this Champions League season. He began his campaign with a cruel home defeat against Salzburg (0-2), marked by a red card received in the 13th minute. He came across stronger at Inter Milan (1-0) then against… Real Sociedad (0-1), surely the strongest team in hat 4.
The Basques finished the job at home by putting the SLB in the pot from the start on November 8 (three goals after 21 minutes, 3-1 final score). “It’s my responsibility because I have to prepare the players in terms of tactics, game plan, motivation. I did a very bad job,” coach Roger Schmidt apologized. Without a leader and without extra soul, not helped by a tough draw, Benfica, which hosts Inter (9 p.m.), can still grab 3rd place in order to be transferred to the Europa League.
