Champions League: PSG under pressure, Shakhtar in dreams... 5 questions about Wednesday's matches

The Champions League group stage comes to an end this Wednesday. Manchester City, FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid can sleep soundly. This is not the case for Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan or even FC Porto, all of whom made the round of 16 last season.

Not really. Many scenarios are possible in Group F where Dortmund (10 points) is already qualified ahead of PSG (7), Newcastle (5) and AC Milan (5). It is possible for Paris to qualify by... losing, provided that Newcastle and AC Milan neutralize each other. Only a victory in Germany this Wednesday (9 p.m.) would guarantee the Parisians of seeing the round of 16.

PSG would be more serene if it had not lost its two away matches in C1 this season (2-1 vs AC Milan, 4-1 vs Newcastle), and if it had shown a more conquering face against Nantes last Saturday (2-1 victory). However, he remains favorite on paper against a Dortmund team plagued by doubt in the Bundesliga, and already qualified for the round of 16, which could encourage him to relax against Paris.

Mattéo Guendouzi (24 years old, Lazio Rome): Loaned with obligation to purchase by Olympique de Marseille, Mattéo Guendouzi is not talked about in France, but he is flourishing in Italy. He started the last 9 league matches for Lazio Rome, who had attracted him largely for his coach, Maurizio Sarri. “His offensive philosophy bewitched me,” he told Il Messaggero last October. A few days earlier, Sarri had judged him “not tactically ready”. A requirement that feeds the inner fire of Guendouzi, no longer called upon by the Blues since the 2022 World Cup. The trip to Atlético de Madrid (9 p.m.), before the C1 round of 16 for which Lazio is already qualified, are so many opportunities to put yourself back in the spotlight.

Olivier Giroud (37 years old, AC Milan): For AC Milan, we must win at Newcastle (9 p.m.) and pray that Paris loses at Dortmund at the same time. Qualification for the round of 16 would be a sensation, because it would come from afar, and a transfer to the Europa League would be a lesser evil. Whatever happens, the Rossonneri will still count on Olivier Giroud, starter in each Milan outing in C1 this season. Scorer on Saturday at Atalanta (3-2 defeat), the record goal scorer for the French team would prefer to experience a European spring before Euro 2024.

Kylian Mbappé (24 years old, Paris Saint-Germain): When PSG plays its credibility, Kylian Mbappé plays its credibility. The striker, left from the group during the summer, did everything to stay, honor his contract and a project built around him. All this to play in the Europa League? Unthinkable. Mbappé, 3rd in the 2023 Ballon d’Or, become captain of the France team, must assume his status and his ambition. He has, so far, disappointed in the Champions League. To better catch up in “money time”?

SEE ALSO – Mbappé’s nice goal during Le Havre-PSG on December 3 (0-2)

They will also be out: Mohamed Simakan and Castello Lukeba (RB Leipzig), Jules Koundé (FC Barcelona), Antoine Griezmann (Atlético de Madrid), Mike Maignan, Théo Hernandez and Yacine Adli (AC Milan), Lucas Hernandez, Nordi Mukiele, Warren Zaire-Emery, Bradley Barcola and Randal Kolo Muani (PSG)

As we have said, PSG, AC Milan and Newcastle can all three qualify for the round of 16 of the Champions League or finish in the Europa League. The Rossonneri and the Magpies can even leave St James’ Park empty-handed. They are not the only ones under pressure.

In Group H, a “final” will be played in Porto, where the Portuguese team hosts Shakhtar Donetsk (9 p.m.). The two clubs are tied on points (9), but a draw would be enough for the Dragons to get out of the groups, like last season. Shakhtar has not experienced this joy since the 2017-18 financial year, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine a year and a half ago slowed the development of local football. “In this club (Porto), we live from these finals. We are used to this type of pressure,” said Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição.

Due to a misunderstanding, Shakhtar Donetsk can even finish first in Group H! We would still have to win in Porto and, above all, for Royal Antwerp (5 defeats in 5 matches) to bring down FC Barcelona in Belgium. Impossible mission. In group G, more suspense: Manchester City is too far ahead of Leipzig and will be seeded for the draw for the round of 16.

In Group F, Dortmund only needs a draw against PSG, who will necessarily rank first if they win. More or less identical scene in Group E, with Atlético de Madrid in a strong position against Lazio Rome. The difference is that Paris is playing for its future in C1, where Lazio is only playing for first place.

Reigning European champion, Manchester City is undefeated in 18 matches in the Champions League. As the statistician Opta reminds us, only Ajax Amsterdam (19 between 1994 and 1996), Bayern Munich (19 between 2001 and 2002 then 2019 and 2021) and Manchester United (25 between 2007 and 2009) have done as well in the history of the competition.

By avoiding defeat at Red Star Belgrade (6:45 p.m.), Pep Guardiola's players would match the Bavarians and Amsterdammers. If they are crowned again without losing a match this season, they would bring their series to 26, one match more than the record held by their Mancunian rival.