Five talking points ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League games, featuring Celtic’s chances of progression and a meeting between the German and Italian champions.
Can Celtic reach the knockout rounds?
It’s been six seasons since Celtic last reached the knockout rounds in European competition. In the Champions League, that barren run stretches back more than a decade (2012/13).
Celtic, however, have positioned themselves in a place to break that drought. Eight points from five games leaves the Scottish champions 20th, in a play-off position and above sides including Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
💬 “We respect the opponent, but we arrive here with confidence and we know we have to put the work in.”
Manager: We go into every game looking to win it 🗣#DinamoZagrebCeltic | #UCL | #CelticFC🍀
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) December 10, 2024
An embarrassing 7-1 thrashing at Borussia Dortmund aside, Celtic have performed admirably in their European ventures including a win over RB Leipzig and battling point at an impressive Atalanta side. With Dinamo Zagreb and a Young Boys side without a point to come next, Brendan Rodgers’ side can end their wait for knockout stage football.
A chance for Reds to rotate?
Liverpool are within touching distance of the Round of 16, having taken maximum points from their five games to lead the Champions League standings. Arne Slot’s side have been almost flawless in Europe, conceding just once in the Champions League ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Girona. Another victory will move the Reds closer to a guaranteed top-eight finish, though could Slot decide that tonight is an ideal time to rotate?
Liverpool face a tricky test against Fulham at the weekend, before a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Southampton in midweek. The Reds received an unexpected rest at the weekend when the Merseyside Derby was postponed due to safety concerns, though the clash with Girona – who have one win and four defeats in Europe – could allow Slot to hand minutes to several players on the fringe of his first XI. The likes of Jarell Quansah, Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott and Darwin Nunez will hope to come in.
Champions of Germany and Italy meet
The headline fixture from Tuesday’s ties sees Bayer Leverkusen host Inter Milan. The Bundesliga and Serie A champions go head-to-head at the BayArena, with both positioned in the all-important top eight as things stand. Leverkusen and Inter have impressed in Europe to date, though are embroiled in tense fights to defend their crowns domestically.
Xabi Alonso’s side, who completed an unbeaten German double in 2023/24, are seven points behind Bayern Munich in the title race.
Pure magic 🧙♂️ pic.twitter.com/38skQKJBrr
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) December 10, 2024
Inter, meanwhile, are third in Serie A, though have a game in hand on leaders Atalanta who are just three points above them. Both teams will regard themselves as potential dark horses in this competition, in a Champions League campaign where several of the traditional heavyweights are yet to hit their stride.
Duran’s shirt to lose?
Jhon Duran could not be doing much more in his quest to become Aston Villa’s main man. The Colombian has scored nine goals in all competitions this season, despite starting just four games. He has averaged a goal every 82.7 minutes of action and marked his first Premier League start of the campaign with the winner against Southampton at the weekend.
At 20, Duran is a player brimming with potential and his development this season has handed Unai Emery a selection headache. Ollie Watkins remains first choice but has scored just once from open play in his last seven Premier League appearances. Ahead of Tuesday’s trip to face RB Leipzig, Emery will be pondering whether Duran deserves a run of games. It’s a welcome dilemma for the Villa boss.
Jhon Duràn in on goal… there was only ever going to be one outcome 😤 pic.twitter.com/CteLXriPsH
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 8, 2024
PSG in real danger of becoming league phase casualties
Some have suggested the new Champions League format is designed to protect the bigger teams from early exits. As things stand, it has not turned out that way. Real Madrid are currently clinging to a play-off position, while Paris Saint-Germain are in danger of missing the cut altogether.
The French champions have not won in the Champions League since a fortunate victory over Girona on matchday one, losing to Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich, and drawing with PSV since.
It leaves them battling to make the knockout rounds, with Manchester City still to visit the Parc des Princes in the coming weeks. Success in Europe has been the elusive dream for the PSG board and their head coaches have been judged on results in this competition.
Luis Enrique’s position will be under real threat if he fails to secure progress, even given the decision to move to a longer-term project in Paris. There is no room for error ahead of a trip to RB Salzburg on matchday six.
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