I think for Mikel Arteta, the situation Arsenal are in chasing in the Premier League, I quite fancy them in this year’s Champions League. I feel like he has done all of his prep, he has said he has watched them three or four times. It’s another game, they want to develop and go on and win.
I don’t think their approach will be cautious, I think they will be after it to try and get a positive result. that is the mentality he has, he wants to win every single game.
I like the new format but I think eight games in the league format is too many. I think six would’ve been better as it puts more importance on each match.
Champions League permutations – Arsenal (3rd with 16 points)published at 09:21 Greenwich Mean Time
Image source,Getty Images
In simple terms: They are into the round of 16 bar an improbable sequence of results and swing in goal difference.
The full version: To slip out of the top eight they would need to lose at Girona, for Inter to avoid defeat AND, realistically, five of the other nine teams within reach to win. Even then, Arsenal’s goal difference is at least +6 better than all six sides currently three points behind them (two of those, Lille and Feyenoord, play each other). Opta put the chances of Arsenal not finishing in the top eight at just 0.04%.
Looking up the table, a win would see them finish in the top two if Barcelona lose at home to Atalanta. If Barca draw, then the Gunners would have to win by four goals.
Get Involvedpublished at 09:15 Greenwich Mean Time
Interesting point John Murray makes.. I think I would rather the FA Cup replays than the extra Champions League matches due to the new format.. think it would be better to support our homegrown talent and let them have the chance to progress in our own cup.
Jules, Kent
Champions League permutations – Celtic (18th with 12 points)published at 09:10 Greenwich Mean Time
In simple terms: Celtic have already qualified for the play-off round and have no realistic chance of finishing in the top eight.
The full version: Celtic would secure an extremely unlikely top-eight finish if they win at Aston Villa AND:
- All 10 sides immediately above them (Leverkusen, Villa, Monaco, Feyenoord, Lille, Brest, Dortmund, Bayern, Real Madrid and Juventus) fail to win (NB. Lille play Feyenoord and Brest play Real Madrid).
- OR 9 of the 10 sides immediately above them all fail to win AND Atalanta lose at Barcelona.
- OR Atletico and AC Milan both lose (with the required goal swing), Atalanta lose and 7 of the 10 sides immediately above Celtic all fail to win.
Opta put the chances of any of this happening and Celtic finishing in the top-eight at just 0.05%.
Image source,Getty ImagesChampions League permutations – Liverpool (1st with 21 points)published at 09:05 Greenwich Mean Time
In simple terms: Liverpool have already qualified for the round of 16 and will finish top of the table if they avoid defeat at PSV OR Barcelona fail to beat Atalanta at home.
The full version: Apart from being named the inaugural ‘Champions League league winners’, there’s no real difference between finishing first or second as they’ll be the ‘best team’ on one side of the draw either way.
Image source,Getty ImagesWith 18 matches all kicking off at the same time this evening in the Champions League, you may be feeling a little bit overwhelmed by what results are needed by who in this new format.
Well, BBC Sport’s Chris Collinson has got you covered.
Here, he explains what teams need from the final round of matches in the league phase of the Champions League to qualify for the knockout stages.
‘I expect a tough game’published at 08:51 Greenwich Mean Time
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola on Club Brugge:
“I expect a tough game. When a team are unbeaten in 20 games it’s because they are good, there’s no secret there. I saw some of the games, when they played Aston Villa and Juventus and against Milan they played good. They have done really well. Different variations in build-up and man marking – they make it uncomfortable.
“Of course in every team, Man City included, there are weaknesses and you have to discover them and punish them.”
On players being up for the match:
“I hope so. I know they want it. I know how focussed they are and I don’t have doubts that we’ll perform to go through but this is football and you never know.”
There will be a familiar face in the Club Brugge goal tonight.
Former Sunderland and Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has plenty of experience of playing at the Etihad Stadium. He also still keeps across events in the Premier League, so knows acutely the struggles Manchester City have been having.
He doesn’t know whether City’s predicament is a good thing or bad one for the Belgian side, who could go through even if they lose.
“You can see it both ways for us,” he said.
“In first instance, we are in a situation that we want to qualify to go to the play-off round, which would be an unbelievable performance and achievement for us.
“Now, we don’t have to look at what reasons are, and why Manchester City are in the situation they are in.
“We only know that when you have to come to the Etihad, it’s going to be a tough night, whatever situation they’re in.
“Maybe it might even be more difficult because of the situation they are in. But we’re not really looking at them. It’s really about whether we can play our best.”
‘It was risky to play all of these matches in January’published at 08:40 Greenwich Mean Time
This is something we have never experienced before with all 18 matches kicking off at the same time. I would like to throw in the proviso as well, I think they have got lucky so far.
I think it was risky to play all of these final matches in January all across Europe. There has to be a high chance at some stage of the weather playing a part in this but touch wood that won’t be the case, that would put the cat among the pigeons.
The other thing I will say, it needs to be remembered we have talked a lot about no FA Cup replays anymore and a lot of people are unhappy about that, this is part of the reason why there are no replays in the rounds proper anymore because of these extra matches in the Champions League in January.
New Champions League format not for me. Far too many teams and as Man City have shown, however bad you are, it’s harder to get knocked out than go through to next stage in this format. It’s set up to reward losing – the very opposite of a Champions League.
Anon
Man City out to avoid financial painpublished at 08:32 Greenwich Mean Time
Manchester City have already spent £123m on three transfers of senior players this month, none of whom can play against Club Brugge tonight.
They don’t have any problems meeting current Profit and Sustainability regulations as they have sold so well over the years.
However, City boss Pep Guardiola knows there will be a financial hit if his side cannot beat Club Brugge tonight and make it through to the Champions League play-offs.
The winner of the tournament will get around €25m (£20.95m) and clubs reaching the last 16 will receive €11m (£9.22m) in prizemoney alone.
It is a hefty sum to miss out on.
“I didn’t speak with my CEO about that,” said Guardiola.
“I would say the budget is positive but I’m not naive enough to know how important this competition is financially for the club.
“But we want to try and go though for sporting reasons.”
In fairness, City chief executive Ferran Soriano does know the club will benefit financially from being in FIFA’s Club World Cup in the summer which would soften the pain a little bit.
Finally, the I looks at comments from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and the potential loss of significant revenue from the Champions League, should City fail to make the play-offs this evening.
Wednesday’s paperspublished at 08:20 Greenwich Mean Time
Metro have focused on the story of Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly’s overturned suspension, using the headline “Myles better!”
They also look at the Champions League matches this evening for Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa.
The format, we were wondering what to expect. Whether there were going to be teams cut adrift, whether there was going to be something to play for but you look at Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester City, there’s a lot riding on it.
Looking further at the top, who can finish in that top two? Incredible, looking forward to it. Everybody playing at the same time is going to be exciting.
Wednesday’s paperspublished at 08:10 Greenwich Mean Time
The Daily Express’ headline of “don’t let your guard down” looks at Manchester City’s must-win match at home to Club Brugge this evening.
It also highlights Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and his call to stop hatred towards referees from football fans.
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Wednesday’s paperspublished at 08:05 Greenwich Mean Time
On Manchester City’s meeting with Club Brugge, they describe City boss Pep Guardiola as having a “Pep in his step” before that must-win clash.
It also looks at Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford and his future.
source,Daily MirrorPep’s Man City missionpublished at 08:00 Greenwich Mean TimeNot since the 2012-13 season, when Sir Alex Ferguson was still Manchester United manager and Roberto Mancini was in charge on the blue half of the city, has Manchester City exited the first phase of the Champions League.
Pep Guardiola has never had that experience in his entire managerial career that goes back to Barcelona and Bayern Munich before his move to City in 2016.
But that is the fate which awaits Guardiola and his team if they fail to beat Club Brugge at the Etihad Stadium tonight.
Guardiola didn’t react well in his press conference yesterday when asked if going out would be an ’embarrassment’.
“Ask me the question after,” he said.
“Thank you for your concern but after the game I will answer you.”
Guardiola had already said: “I think we will do it.”
Wednesday’s papers published at 07:55 Greenwich Mean Time
The Daily Star has used the headline “no time for losers” in regard to Manchester City’s meeting with Club Brugge, a lyric from Queen’s famous song of “We Are The Champions.”
They also use quotes from Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo on his side’s quest for the quadruple this season.
source,Daily StarWednesday’s papers published at 07:51 Greenwich Mean TimeThe Daily Mail are reporting that Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is holding out for a potential move to Barcelona, using the headline “it’s Barcelona or bust for Rashford.”
There is also a section on Myles Lewis-Skelly’s overturned red card and Mikel Arteta’s comments on abuse received by football referees.
source,Daily Mail
