UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League 2022-2023: UCL Group Stage Predictions
The most prestigious European club football competition, the UEFA Champions League 2022–2023 season’s group stage, is all set to start on September 6, and this round will end on November 2. 32 clubs from across Europe will take part in the main event to earn a place in the tournament’s Round of 16 phase. Let’s take a look at the 2022–2023 UCL group stage predictions.
The UCL Group Stage Predictions for the 2022–2023 season
The groups were announced by UEFA at the end of August. There were 32 teams total, and they were split up into eight groups of four each. In each group, the top two teams will advance to the Round of 16. Here are the groups that stand the highest chance of advancing to the round of 16.
Group A
The four teams who will compete in this group are Liverpool, Ajax, Napoli, and Rangers. Last season’s Champions League runner-up, Liverpool, will be among the favourites to lift the trophy. They, along with the Italian team, Napoli, are expected to reach the next round from this group. Both Ajax and Rangers can give a hard time to Liverpool and Napoli.
Read UEFA Champions League Overview: Complete Winners List from 1956 to 2022
Group B
The four participating teams in Group B are Porto, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, and Club Brugge. Atletico Madrid are favourites to finish on top of the group. On the other hand, Leverkusen and Porto are expected to fight for second place. Club Brugge is considerably less strong than them, and they have a minimal chance of advancing to the next phase.
Group C
The four teams who will compete in group C are Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Viktoria Plzen. Bayern are favourites to advance from this group, but that is not guaranteed. FC Barcelona and Inter Milan also have a fair chance to seal a place in the Round of 16. However, Viktoria Plzen will likely struggle to face off against these big giants. This is considered a group of death.
Group D
The four teams who will compete in Group D are Eintracht Frankfurt, Tottenham Hotspur, Sporting CP, and Marseille. This is another tough group as all teams have an equal chance of advancing to the next round. However, English club Tottenham may start as favourites to move to the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League 2022-2023.
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Group E
The four teams who will compete in this group are AC Milan, Chelsea, Red Bull Salzburg, and Dinamo Zagreb. Italian Serie A champions AC Milan and English club Chelsea are hot favourites to move to the next round from this group. Red Bull and Dinamo may find it hard to compete against these two giants.
Group F
The four participating teams in group B are Real Madrid, RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Celtic. The reigning champions, Real Madrid, are overwhelmingly favourites to top the group. However, there could be stiff competition for the second spot from the other three teams.
Group G
Manchester City, Sevilla, Borussia Dortmund, and Copenhagen are the four teams who will compete in Group G. The reigning English Premier League champions, Manchester City, are strong favourites to finish first in this group. There will be a strong fight for second place between Sevilla and Borussia Dortmund. The Danish club, Copenhagen, may find it difficult to compete against these strong opponents.
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Group H
The four teams who will compete in Group D are Maccabi Haifa, Benfica, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain. Italian giant Juventus and mega-rich club PSG are strong favourites to qualify for the Round of 16. However, Benfica of Portugal have a chance to finish top two in the points table and advance to the next round. The Israeli team Maccabi Haifa's great achievement is their participation in the Champions League main event.
Bottom Line
The Champions League competition’s group phase usually ends in the first week of December. However, UEFA made some adjustments to their fixtures due to the upcoming Qatar World Cup 2022. The FIFA World Cup 2022 will start on November 20, so the group stage matches for the UEFA Champions League 2022–2023 will be finished as scheduled in the first week of November.
All of the teams will have to play a ton of games in the upcoming two months, which is taxing on the players' minds and bodies. Therefore, early UCL group stage predictions favour the clubs with strong squads.
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UEFA Champions League Overview: Complete Winners List from 1956 to 2022
The Union of European Football Associations organizes an annual club football competition called the UEFA Champions League. It is widely considered as Europe's most prestigious club football competition. The tournament was founded in 1955 and was formerly known as the European Cup until being renamed the Champions League in 1992.
According to the current structure, 32 teams compete in the group stage, with 16 moving on to the first knockout round. Teams must compete in the Round of 16, Quarter-Finals, and Semifinals in the knockout round to get to the final. Real Madrid are the current champions after defeating Liverpool 1-0 in the 2022 Champions League final. Let's have a look at the complete list of competition winners from 1956 to 2022.
European Cup and Champions League: The List of Winners
Twenty-two clubs have won the Champions League in 67 seasons. Thirteen of them have won the championship several times. Real Madrid of Spain have won the most UCL titles, with 14 to their credit. AC Milan of Italy is the second-most successful club in Champions League history. They have won the championship seven times. Liverpool are the most successful English club in the tournament's history, having won it six times.
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Winners of the European Cup/Champions League in each season (Updated - May 30, 2022)
Club
Titles
Seasons Won
Real Madrid
14
1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022
AC Milan
7
1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007
Bayern Munich
6
1974, 1975, 1976, 2001, 2013, 2020
Liverpool
6
1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005, 2019
Barcelona
5
1992, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2015
Ajax
4
1971, 1972, 1973, 1995
Inter Milan
3
1964, 1965, 2010
Manchester United
3
1968, 1999, 2008
Juventus
2
1985, 1996
Benfica
2
1961, 1962
Chelsea
2
2012, 2021
Nottingham Forest
2
1979, 1980
Porto
2
1987, 2004
Celtic
1
1967
Hamburger SV
1
1983
Steaua Bucuresti
1
1986
Marseille
1
1993
Borussia Dortmund
1
1997
Feyenoord
1
1970
Aston Villa
1
1982
PSV Eindhoven
1
1988
Red Star Belgrade
1
1991
Source: https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/statistics/all-time/
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Performances by nation in the European Cup and Champions League
So far, clubs from 10 different nations have won the UEFA Champions League trophy. Spanish clubs have won a total of 19 titles among them. English clubs have won 14 UCL titles, while Italian clubs have won 12.
Winners by nation (Updated - May 30, 2022)
Nation
Titles
Spain
19
England
14
Italy
12
Germany
8
Netherlands
6
Portugal
4
France
1
Romania
1
Scotland
1
Yugoslavia
1
Source: https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/statistics/all-time/
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Aftermath
Winning the UEFA Champions League trophy is the ultimate goal for every elite team in Europe. European heavyweights typically invest a large amount of money in building their squads to achieve a competitive edge over their opponents. It's even difficult for teams like PSG and Manchester City to win their first UCL championship, despite spending a lot of money.
In contrast, Real Madrid, who were voted the best club in the twentieth century, have a habit of winning the competition quite often. The Spanish giants have won the championship five times in the previous nine years.
UEFA is contemplating restructuring the championship in order to allow more teams to participate in this premier competition. Therefore, a significant change may happen in future editions, potentially increasing fan excitement. On the whole, the competition is often dominated by clubs with a long and illustrious history, as seen by UEFA Champions League analysis from 1956 to 2022.
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Favourites to reach the UEFA Champions League 2022 Finals
The football world was treated to a few spectacular contests in the quarter-final stage because the majority of the matches were evenly poised. Manchester City, Liverpool, Villarreal, and Real Madrid are the teams that have qualified for the semi-finals. The first leg will take place at the end of this month, with the second leg taking place at the start of May. This article discussed which teams could qualify for the UEFA Champions League 2022 finals.
Champions League 2021/2022: Semi-Finals Fixtures and Favourites
The opening legs of the semi-finals will take place on April 26 and 27. The second tie in this elimination round will take place on May 3 and 4, respectively. A total of four matches will be played in the semi-finals. The winners of the semi-final stage will be determined by goal differential. If the aggregate goals aren't enough to decide the winner, a penalty shootout will be held.
The defending Premier League champions, Manchester City, will face European heavyweights, Real Madrid, according to the draw. In the other semifinal, English club Liverpool will meet Spanish side Villarreal. Let's have a look at the teams with the best chances of reaching the UEFA Champions League 2022 finals.
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Manchester City vs Real Madrid
First Leg Fixture: Tuesday (April 26/1 a.m.) | Venue: Etihad Stadium
Second Leg Fixture: Wednesday (May 4/1 a.m.) | Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Manchester City and Real Madrid both faced a tough opponents in the quarter-finals. Manchester City beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 at home in the first leg but had to settle for a 0-0 draw at the Wanda Metropolitano in the second leg. Though both ties were difficult for the English champions. On the other hand, Real Madrid enjoyed a big lead over Chelsea after winning the first leg 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. It was believed that Madrid would have an easier time in the second leg, but Chelsea fought back strongly and won the match 3-2. However, Real Madrid proceeded to the semi-finals with a scoreline of 5-4 on aggregate.
The semi-finals ties between them will be difficult to predict because both teams have been in excellent form this season. Manchester City prefer to play in the build-up and control possession. Oppositely, Real Madrid have the potential to surprise the opponent out of nowhere, and this has been a feature of their game this season. Manchester City's top scorer is Riyad Mahrez, who has six goals, while Real Madrid's top scorer is Karim Benzema, who has twelve.
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Verdict: Manchester City
Liverpool vs Villarreal
First Leg Fixture: Wednesday (April 27/1 a.m.) | Venue: Anfield
Second Leg Fixture: Tuesday (May 3/1 a.m.) | Venue: Estadio de la Ceramica
Villarreal's ousting of Bayern Munich from the competition was the most unexpected outcome of the quarter-finals. Villareal had created a fantastic chance for themselves after defeating Bayern Munich 1-0 at home in the first leg. They qualified for the semi-finals after a 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. On the other hand, Liverpool enjoyed a big lead over Benfica after winning the first leg 3-1 away from home. Benfica performed well in the second leg, scoring three goals at Anfield. However, the match finished 3-3, and Liverpool proceeded to the next round with a 6-4 aggregate.
In the semi-finals, Liverpool may start as favourites against Villarreal. However, Villarreal's team has so much confidence right now that they can overcome Liverpool in this round. Therefore, it won't come as a surprise if Villarreal reach the final. Mohamed Salah leads Liverpool with eight goals, while Arnaut Danjuma leads Villarreal with six.
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Verdict: Liverpool
Bottom Line
On paper and based on current form, no team appears to be a strong favorite to go to the semi-finals. Whoever executes their game plan properly in both games will have a better chance of advancing to the UEFA Champions League 2022 finals. Given the intensity of the quarter-finals, the semi-final stage promises to be even more exciting.
UEFA Champions League 2022: Top favourites to reach the semi-finals
The majority of the expected teams advanced to the quarter-finals after overcoming some difficult matches in both legs of the Round of 16. As per the draw, the quarter-final matchups between Real Madrid and Chelsea will be the most entertaining. Chelsea are the current European champion, whereas Real Madrid are one of Europe's traditional powerhouses. The remainder of the quarter-final matches will be enthralling as well. Let's have a look at the teams with the best possibilities of reaching the UEFA Champions League 2022 quarter-finals.
2022 Champions League: Quarter-Finals Fixtures and Favourites
The first quarter-final matches of the UEFA Champions League 2022 will take place on April 5 and 6. This knockout round's second tie will be staged on April 12 and 13, respectively. Eight matches will be played in the quarter-final phase, with the winners determined by the aggregate goals scored. If the aggregate goals aren't enough to determine the winner, a penalty shootout will be held. Let's have a look at the favorites to reach the UEFA Champions League 2022 semi-finals.
Benfica vs Liverpool
First Leg Fixture: Wednesday (April 6/1 a.m.) | Venue: Estadio da Luz
Second Leg Fixture: Thursday (April 14/1 a.m.) | Venue: Anfield
Liverpool had a tough fight against Inter Milan in the Round of 16 fixtures. They eventually came out as winners, with a 2-1 aggregate. On the other hand, Benfica overcame Ajax in the last round. Liverpool have a better squad and higher-quality players than Benfica. That is why Liverpool will start as favorites in their quarter-final ties.
Verdict: Liverpool
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Manchester City vs Atletico Madrid
First Leg Fixture: Wednesday (April 6/1 a.m.) | Venue: Etihad Stadium
Second Leg Fixture: Thursday (April 14/1 a.m.) | Venue: Wanda Metropolitano Stadium
Manchester City thrashed Sporting CP in the Round of 16 with a resounding victory. On the other side, Atletico Madrid fought hard to defeat Manchester United and proceed to the quarter-finals. Manchester City will start as the favourites in the quarter-final match against Atletico Madrid. Oppositely, Atletico Madrid have the potential to upset Manchester City if they can formulate an effective plan.
Verdict: Manchester City.
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Villarreal vs Bayern Munich
First Leg Fixture: Thursday (April 7/1 a.m.) | Venue: El Madrigal
Second Leg Fixture: Wednesday (April 13/1 a.m.) | Venue: Allianz Arena
Villarreal won 4-1 on aggregate against Juventus in the Round of 16 of the Champions League. Villarreal's quarter-final opponent, Bayern Munich were merciless against Red Bull Salzburg in the previous round. Though Villarreal will give Bayern Munich a strong fight, the Bavarians will be the favourites to proceed to the semi-finals.
Verdict: Bayern Munich.
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Chelsea vs Real Madrid
First Leg Fixture: Thursday (April 7/1 a.m.) | Venue: Stamford Bridge
Second Leg Fixture: Wednesday (April 13/1 a.m.) | Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Both Chelsea and Real Madrid have some genuine world-class players. So there will be no clear favorites in these quarter-final matches. Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti will use their own strategies to attempt to stop each other. Therefore it could be a tactical match. Whoever execute their game plan well has the best chance of making it to the semifinals.
Verdict: Chelsea.
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Bottom Line
One thing is clear after the quarter-finals: players from squads with good teamwork are more likely to do well in this event. As a result, the best eight teams from the Round of 16 have advanced to the quarter-finals. Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Chelsea are among them. With the exception of Chelsea, the rest of the clubs will be in a better position to proceed to the semi-finals in their respective quarter-final matches. Chelsea must defeat Real Madrid to advance to the semi-finals, which will be a challenging task. On the whole, it is expected that the UEFA Champions League 2022 quarter-finals will be fascinating.
UEFA Champions League 2022: Quarter-Finals Draw and Fixtures
UEFA announced the last eight lineups, as well as the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final fixtures on Friday during a ceremony held at the European Football House in Nyon, Switzerland. There was no seeding and no country protection because the draws were open. As a result, any team could be paired with any other team. The eight winners of the Round of 16 have advanced to the quarter-finals. Let's have a look at the UEFA Champions League 2022 quarter-finals draw and fixtures.
UEFA Champions League Football Season 2021-22: Quarter-Finals Draw
Real Madrid of Spain, Atletico Madrid of Spain, Villarreal of Spain, Manchester City of England, Chelsea of England, Liverpool of England, Bayern Munich of Germany, and Benfica of Portugal are the eight teams that have qualified for this season’s Champions League quarter-finals.
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Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Villarreal had a relatively easy path in the Round of 16 among the qualified teams. In contrast, Real Madrid, Benfica, Atletico Madrid, and Liverpool had to fight hard to reach the last eight. The line-ups for the 2021–2022 season Champions League football quarter-finals are as follows:
Draw Result
Chelsea vs Real Madrid
Manchester City vs Atletico Madrid
Villarreal vs Bayern Munich
Liverpool vs Benfica
Source: https://www.uefa.com/
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Full Fixtures of the 2021-2022 UEFA Champions League QF, SF, and Final
The first legs of the Champions League quarter-finals will be played on April 5 and 6. The quarter-finals' second legs will be held on April 12 and 13. There are no away goal rules in this season's tournament. As a result, the winner will be determined by the sum of the two legs scores. If the game is still tied after extra time in the second leg, a penalty shoot-out will determine the winner.
The Fixtures of Quarter-Finals
Date
Fixtures
Venues
Time (BDT)
April 6
Benfica vs Liverpool
Estádio da Luz
1 a.m.
April 6
Man City vs Atletico Madrid
Etihad Stadium
1 a.m.
April 7
Villarreal vs Bayern Munich
El Madrigal
1 a.m.
April 7
Chelsea vs Real Madrid
Stamford Bridge
1 a.m.
April 13
Bayern Munich vs Villarreal
Allianz Arena
1 a.m.
April 13
Real Madrid vs Chelsea
Santiago Bernabéu
1 a.m.
April 14
Atletico Madrid vs Man City
Wanda Metropolitano Stadium
1 a.m.
April 14
Liverpool vs Benfica
Anfield
1 a.m.
Source: https://www.uefa.com/
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The winner of the Atletico Madrid-Manchester City quarter-final encounter will face the winner of the Real Madrid-Chelsea match in the first semifinal. On the other hand, the winner of the Liverpool-Benfica quarter-final match will face the winner of the Bayern Munich-Villarreal semi-final encounter in the second semifinal.
The first legs of the semifinals will take place on April 26 and 27, with the second legs on May 3 and 4. The UEFA Champions League 2022 season's championship match will take place at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on May 28.
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Verdict
According to the UEFA Champions League 2022 quarter-finals draw, the match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid will most likely be the most demanding. Real Madrid defeated PSG on a 3-2 aggregate in the previous round, while Chelsea defeated French Champions Lille on a 4-1 aggregate in the Round of 16. The match between Manchester City and Atletico Madrid will be exciting as well, as Atletico are traditionally a difficult opponent to beat.
Besides, Bayern Munich will begin as favorites against Villarreal of Spain, while Liverpool are anticipated to defeat Benfica in their quarter-final fixtures to move to the semi-finals. However, the deserving and in-form teams have earned a spot in the last eight, thus a fierce battle in the quarter-finals is expected.
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2022 UEFA Champions League: Who are Front-Runners to Reach Quarter-Finals?
The first ties of Round of 16 of the ongoing UEFA Champions League were concluded in February. The clubs with the highest chance of reaching the quarter-finals were revealed after the first ties. As a result, teams will be able to build out flawless strategies for the second tie. Some of the clubs have a significant edge after securing big victories in their first ties, while others appear to be wide-open matchups in the second ties. Let's take a look at the teams with the best chances of making the 2022 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
UEFA Champions League 2022 Round of 16: Fixtures and Results
Sixteen matches are scheduled to be played in the Round of 16. Each side is slated to play two games on a home-and-away basis. If the aggregate goals in a two-legged tie are the same, the winner will be determined by 30 minutes of extra time. If extra time fails to determine the winner, a penalty shoot-out will be held. Let's see who the favorites are to advance to the 2022 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
Sporting CP vs Manchester City
First Leg: 0-5; Second Leg: 9 March; Aggregate: TBD
Manchester City have a huge lead over Sporting CP after scoring five goals away from home in the first leg. Pep Guardiola's side will almost certainly advance to the quarter-finals unless Sporting CP makes the biggest comeback in UCL history. The second leg between these two teams will take place at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, March 9.
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Red Bull Salzburg vs Bayern Munich
First Leg: 1-1; Second Leg: 1-7; Aggregate: 2-8
Bayern Munich were dissatisfied following a 1-1 draw in the first leg against Red Bull Salzburg. They intended to make a big impression in the second leg, which they achieved by beating Salzburg 7-1 on Tuesday. Bayern Munich earned a place in the quarter-finals with a 2-8 aggregate score.
Benfica vs Ajax
First Leg: 2-2; Second Leg: 15 March; Aggregate: TBD
This match was expected to be competitive, and neither team was disappointed in the first leg. After a 2-2 draw in the first leg, the winner will be decided in the second leg. The second leg will take place on March 15 in Amsterdam.
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Chelsea vs Lille
First Leg: 2-0; Second Leg: 16 March; Aggregate: TBD
Chelsea won 2-0 at home in the first leg against the French league champions, Lille. Lille will need to outperform Chelsea in order to qualify for the quarter-finals. However, the reigning Ligue 1 champions will find it incredibly tough to overcome Chelsea in the second leg. The second tie will take place on March 16 at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United
First Leg: 1-1; Second Leg: 15 March; Aggregate: TBD
Both Atletico Madrid and Manchester United have had a difficult season thus far. When the tie was confirmed, neither team was the bookies' favourite. The Wanda Metropolitano hosted the first leg, which finished in a 1-1 draw. The winner will be decided in the second leg, which will take place on March 15 at Old Trafford.
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Villarreal vs Juventus
First Leg: 1-1; Second Leg: 16 March; Aggregate: TBD
The tie is wide open for any side after the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw. Juventus will host Villarreal for the second leg on March 16th. Juventus may start the match as a slight favourite before the second leg as they will be playing at home.
Inter Milan vs Liverpool
First Leg: 0-2; Second Leg: 1-0; Aggregate: 1-2
Inter Milan were under pressure heading into the second game after losing the first leg 2-0 at San Siro. Inter Milan made a valiant effort to reduce the deficit and end the game at 2-2 at Anfield, but they were only able to score one goal. Therefore, Liverpool have qualified for the quarter-finals with a 1-2 aggregate.
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Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid
First Leg: 1-0; Second Leg: 9 March; Aggregate: TBD
Paris Saint-Germain defeated Real Madrid 1-0 in the first leg. As a result, the second tie is wide open and will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 9. This is one of the most thrilling Round of 16 matchups since both teams have some world-class players. Both teams would aim to outwit each other in terms of strategies in this game.
Bottom Line
Following the first ties of the Round of 16, it is apparent that the in-form teams have the upper hand in securing a quarter-final berth. Therefore, the best teams are likely to compete in the tournament's last eight rounds. Two of the tournament's favorites, Bayern Munich and Liverpool have already qualified for the next round. The remaining six spots will be confirmed by next week. The remainder Round of 16 matches of the 2022 UEFA Champions League are predicted to be enthralling.
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Barcelona vs Bayern Munich: Match Preview, Team News, Lineups
Barcelona's last group stage encounter against Bayern Munich will be a do-or-die match if they are to advance to the knockout stage of the 2021-2022 seasons Champions League. Bayern Munich have already qualified for the first knockout round after winning five games in a row. Therefore, Benfica and Barcelona are battling for second place. Barcelona are currently in second place with seven points, while Benfica are in third place with five points. Let's take a look at the Bayern Munich vs. Barcelona match preview and team news.
Probable Team Lineups: Bayern Munich vs Barcelona
Coach Julian Nagelsmann may opt to rest several of his regular starters because Bayern Munich have already qualified for the Round of 16. This would be a nice choice in this context as a means of measuring reserve bench strength. Furthermore, key players would be able to get some rest.
Bayern Munich's star midfielder Joshua Kimmich hasn't played for the team since November because of covid-19 complications, but he is likely to be in the squad for the match against Barcelona. Apart from that, Lucas Hernandez, Marcel Sabitzer, Mickael Cuisance, Bouna Sarr, and Josip Stanisic are also expected to miss this match.
Probable Starting XI (Bayern Munich): Manuel Neuer (GK), Benjamin Pavard (RB), Tanguy Nianzou (CB) Niklas Sule (CB), Omar Richards (LB), Jamal Musiala (CM), Corentin Tolisso (CM), Thomas Muller (AM), Serge Gnabry (RW), Leroy Sane (LW), Robert Lewandowski (FW)
Barcelona needed all of their key players to be available for the match against Bayern Munich. With all of the players available, Xavi Hernandez will be able to use his preferred formation in the game. However, Barcelona will be without a number of crucial players, including young sensations Ansu Fati and Pedri. Gavi's participation in the match is still uncertain, while the team's experienced right-back Sergi Roberto is sidelined for over four months.
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Probable Starting XI (Barcelona): Marc-Andre ter Stegen (GK), Sergino Dest (RB), Ronald Araujo (CB), Gerard Pique (CB), Jordi Alba (LB), Nico Gonzalez (CM), Sergio Busquets (CM), Frenkie de Jong (CM), Luuk de Jong (RW), Ousmane Dembele (LW), Memphis Depay (FW)
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich: Head-to-Head
Barcelona and Bayern Munich have met a total of ten times in the Champions League. Bayern Munich have a 7-2 lead in the Champions League head-to-head duel. One match ended in a draw.
Bayern Munich have scored 25 goals in Champions League matches against Barcelona, while Barcelona have only scored 13 goals.
Lionel Messi (120 goals) is Barcelona's all-time leading scorer, while Robert Lewandowski is Bayern Munich's all-time leading scorer (65). Bayern Munich have won the Champions League six times, while Barcelona have won the competition five times.
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Match Prediction: Bayern vs FCB
Bayern Munich will be overwhelming favorites in this home match, based on both clubs' current form. Furthermore, Bayern have won the past three meetings between these two teams. So far, the Bavarians have a good winning streak over the Blaugrana. Julian Nagelsmann has a plethora of attacking options available to him. He has the option of going all-in against the opposition team. Bayern Munich's best formation against Barcelona would be 4-3-3.
On the other hand, Barcelona have no choice but to win the match in order to move to the next round. Because Bayern are so excellent at counter-attacking, therefore an open play may be a risky move for Barcelona. Bayern's players also have more experience and are expected to dominate the game. That’s why Xavi's Barcelona would like to score first and then defend for the remainder of the game. Therefore, a 4-4-2 or 3-4-3 system might be a good fit for Barcelona in order to reinforce the midfield.
Fixture: Bayern Munich vs Barcelona | Time (Bangladesh Standard Time): Thursday (2 am)
Prediction: Bayern Munich 2 – 0 Barcelona
Verdict
Bayern Munich are the overwhelming favorite against Barcelona due to the fact that they are hosting the match. However, Barcelona will go all out against Bayern in order to stay in the tournament. Barcelona have no choice but to win the match if Benfica defeat Dynamo Kyiv in the other group match. Therefore, the Bayern Munich vs Barcelona encounter may feature an aggressive Barcelona team.
Man City vs PSG: Champions League match preview, team news, prediction
When Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain meet at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday (November 25) at 2 a.m. (Bangladesh Standard Time), both teams will have a chance to advance to the Round of 16 in the Champions League 2021-2022 season. The winner of the Man City vs PSG match will proceed to the first knockout round of the competition. Manchester City now lead the standings with nine points, followed by PSG, Club Brugge, and RB Leipzig. This is an important clash in group A in this context. Let's take a look at this match's preview and team news.
Man City vs PSG: Potential Team Lineups
The biggest news in Man City's camp is that star player Kevin de Bruyne has been diagnosed with covid-19 and will miss the match against PSG. Spanish forward Ferran Torres will also miss the match due to a foot injury he acquired during the Nations League. Meanwhile, Jack Grealish is also in doubt after suffering an injury during the international break.
Predicted Playing XI (Man City):
Ederson Moraes (GK), Kyle Walker (RB), John Stones (CB), Ruben Dias (CB), Joao Cancelo (LB), Rodri (DM), Bernardo Silva (CM), Ilkay Gundogan (CM), Riyad Mahrez (RW), Phil Foden (LW), Gabriel Jesus (FW).
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Sergio Ramos is still out with an injury, but he has lately started full training, which is good news for PSG. However, Ramos is unlikely to participate in this match. The Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is suffering from gastroenteritis, but he is expected to be healthy in time. Injuries have also struck Julian Draxler and Rafinha. As a result, they might not be available for this game. Defender Presnel Kimpembe will also miss the trip due to injury.
Predicted Playing XI (PSG):
Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK), Achraf Hakimi (RB), Marquinhos (CB), Thilo Kehrer (CB), Juan Bernat (LB), Marco Verratti (CM), Leandro Paredes (CM), Ander Herrera (CM), Lionel Messi (RW), Neymar (LW), Kylian Mbappe (FW).
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Head-to-Head: Manchester City vs Paris Saint-Germain
Both teams have met six times, with Manchester City maintaining a three-win advantage in the head-to-head battle. PSG have won two games thus far, with one match ending in a stalemate.
Manchester City have won all of their games against PSG in the UEFA Champions League, while PSG have won a Europa League match and the first-leg meeting between these two sides in the Champions League 2021-2022 group stage.
PSG have defeated Man City once at the Etihad Stadium. On the other side, Man City have won two matches against PSG at their home ground.
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Manchester City vs Paris Saint-Germain match prediction
Manchester City are in excellent form, having won their past two Premier League games against Manchester United and Everton. Pep Guardiola’s team has all it takes to shock the opponent's defense. All they have to do now is execute their strategy properly.
PSG have the best offensive trio in the world. Therefore Manchester City may not want to risk losing possession of the ball in this match. Manchester City's best formation could be 4-3-3, although they can also play 3-4-3 if necessary. Manchester City do not want to lose to one of their big Champions League opponents for the second time in the group stage. As a result, they may be able to tighten up the defense in this encounter.
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On the other hand, PSG have a plethora of attacking options, but they may prefer to play it safe in this match because Manchester City are a fierce rival in their own backyard. Coach Mauricio Pochettino does not want to lose this game since it may jeopardize their chances of reaching the Champions League's Round of 16 stage. As a result, PSG's primary strategy might be to counter-attack. If that happens, Manchester City may have a higher percentage of ball possession than PSG.
The 4-3-3 configuration might be PSG's preferred formation. They may use a 4-2-3-1 formation for additional defensive stability.
Prediction: Man City 3-3 PSG
Verdict
Paris Saint-Germain have the most fearsome lineup in the world. However, playing at Etihad Stadium away from home would be difficult for them. Man City will make it difficult for them in the attacking half. Furthermore, they have the tendency to create a big hole in the middle when they attack.
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Manchester City are one of Europe's top teams and clearly one of the favorites to win the Champions League in the 2021-2022 season. Mauricio Pochettino's side will put Pep Guardiola's side under a lot of strain in this Man City vs PSG match.
Atalanta vs. Man Utd: Magnificent Cristiano Ronaldo saves Manchester United once again
Manchester United held Atalanta to a 2-2 draw thanks to an injury-time strike from Cristiano Ronaldo. The Red Devils had a little advantage in ball possession, but La Dea created more chances during the match. Manchester United lead the Group F points standings after four matches, followed by Villarreal, who defeated Young Boys 2-0 on the same evening. Atalanta and Young Boys are now third and fourth in this group, respectively. The match report of Atalanta vs. Manchester United is discussed in this article.
Match Report: Atalanta vs. Man Utd
Cristiano Ronaldo has proven to be a savior for Manchester United since making his second start at Old Trafford. He scored twice in the encounter against Atalanta, including a stoppage-time goal to snatch a point away from home. This point did not guarantee a spot in the Round of 16 of the Champions League 2021/2022 season. However, Manchester United remained top of Group F with 7 points as a result of the outcome.
Atalanta pressed hard in the first 30 minutes and equalized in the 12th minute of the game. Atalanta's Duvan Zapata was outstanding on the night. He was a constant danger to Man United's defense. Zapata set up a nice assist for Josip Ilicic, who smashed the ball into the net to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
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Manchester United coach Ole had to adjust his formation because of an injury to defender Raphael Varane. The visitors made a valiant effort to equalize, and courtesy to some excellent teamwork in the injury time before halftime, they were able to do it. Ronaldo hammered the ball into the right corner after receiving a through pass from compatriot Bruno Fernandes.
It didn't take long for Atalanta to regain the advantage. Atalanta seized a 2-1 lead in the match with a goal by Duvan Zapata in the 11th minute of the second half. He raced down the left-wing, breaking past Harry Maguire, and placing the ball into the right corner of the net.
The Manchester United players tried to throw away the lead after that, but they were unable to create a consistent effort in the opposition quarter. Conversely, Atalanta executed a number of counter-attacks and they had better chances than Man United.
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Then, in the 91st minute, Cristiano Ronaldo slammed a thunderous low volley into the bottom left corner of the net, beating the goalkeeper to tie it up at 2-2. Manchester United did not leave the field empty-handed thanks to Ronaldo's strike.
Match Statistics: Manchester United vs. Atalanta
Manchester United had 53 percent ball possession, while Atalanta had 47 percent, according to the match statistics. The visiting team made 566 passes, while the home team made 504 passes.
Manchester United had a passing accuracy of 82 percent, while Atalanta had an accuracy of 83 percent. Man Utd attempted 13 shots and had four of them hit the target. On the other hand, Atalanta made 10 efforts and had four shots on target.
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Atalanta were penalized for 11 fouls but received no cards. On the other hand, Manchester United committed 14 fouls and received one yellow card.
Aftermath
Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjær was under fire coming into this match after a devastating 5-0 loss to Liverpool just a few days ago. Though his team made an unbelievable comeback earlier this week, winning 3-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against Spurs.
However, Man United showed once again on Wednesday (November 2) against Atalanta that they are not a strong enough team to win big games. Instead, they rely heavily on their star player Cristiano Ronaldo, who saved the Red Devils for the third time in the Champions League this season.
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Manchester United's next encounter is on November 23 against Villarreal, while Atalanta will face Young Boys on November 24. The outcome of these two games might determine the group's fate.
UEFA Champions League 2021/2022: GroupWise Favorites to qualify for Round 16
The UEFA Champions League 2021/2022 group stage will end in the first week of December. This phase features eight groups and 32 teams. Each group's top two teams will progress to the Round of 16. The first round of the knockout stage will take place in the coming February. Which teams in the group stage have the highest chance of making it to Round 16 in this season's Champions League is discussed in this article. Let's take a look at the latest group phase scenario.
Favorites to advance to the UEFA Champions League 2021-2022 Round of 16
Each team has played three matches so far in the group stage. Let us analyze each group's situation.
Group A
Paris Saint-Germain have earned seven points in three games and they are currently in first place in Group A. They will almost certainly qualify for the Round of 16 if they win their next match on November 3 against RB Leipzig. Manchester City and Club Brugge are battling it out in Group A for second place. They will face off in their next match, with the winner likely finishing in the top two in the points standings.
Verdict: PSG and Manchester City
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Group B
If group B leader Liverpool win at home against Atletico Madrid on November 3, they will qualify for the Round of 16 in this year’s Champions League. If Liverpool advance, the battle for second place will be between Atletico Madrid and Porto. Both teams have four points in the standings.
Verdict: Liverpool and Atletico Madrid
Group C
Dutch team Ajax currently lead Group C with 9 points and they are only one win away from securing a place in the Round of 16. Borussia Dortmund of Germany and Sporting CP of Portugal are both vying for second place. The fate of this group might very well be decided on the last day of group stage fixtures.
Verdict: Ajax and Borussia Dortmund
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Group D
Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldova upset Real Madrid with a 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu. They presently have a 6-point in Group D's point standings. However, the fate of this group will be decided on the final day of the group stage round as Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Sheriff Tiraspol are all in the Round of 16 race.
Verdict: Real Madrid and inter Milan
Group E
Bayern Munich remained unbeaten in Group E at the end of matchday 3. If Bayern beat Benfica on Tuesday, they will advance to the Round of 16. Then FC Barcelona and Benfica will fight for a second-place finish in this group. It will most likely be determined who finish second in the points standings when both clubs play at the Camp Nou on November 23rd.
Verdict: Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona
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Group F
Manchester United are in first place with six points after three games. Their spot in the Round of 16 is far from certain. Man Utd must fight hard till the end against Villarreal and Atalanta in order to finish top two in the points standings. It will undoubtedly be a fascinating race between them.
Verdict: Manchester United and Villarreal
Group G
Red Bull Salzburg have shocked everyone by grasping the lead in Group G's point standings. They have 7 points after three games. If Salzburg defeat Wolfsburg on November 2, they will qualify for the Round of 16 in this year's Champions League. Therefore, Sevilla, Lille, and Wolfsburg will battle it out for a spot in the first knockout round till the end.
Verdict: Red Bull Salzburg and Sevilla
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Group H
The fight for a spot in the Round of 16 is heating up in Group H. Juventus are presently in first place with 9 points, followed by Chelsea (6 points), and Zenit Saint Petersburg (3 points). If Juventus defeat Zenit on November 2 at home, they will advance to the next round.
Verdict: Juventus and Chelsea
Bottom Line
When looking at the current situation of each group, it is evident that PSG, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Juventus are in better positions. If they win their next group stage matches, they will all qualify for the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League 2021/2022 season.
The final games in the group stage generally have a lot of twists and turns. There is a strong possibility of several exciting contests in this season's final few fixtures. However, the team with the best overall performance will advance to the first knockout round of Europe's most popular club-level competition.
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