Liverpool and Ajax are through to the Champions League last 16 with two games to spare. The two sides both maintained their perfect records through four games to join Bayern Munich and Juventus among the first teams to qualify for the knockout round.
Elsewhere, the pressure continues to mount on the managers of Leipzig and PSG after their recent draw, while the two Milan clubs are going in opposite directions in Europe.
Read on below as SBOTOP lists down five key takeaways from the most recent round of Champions League matches.
Liverpool, Ajax make quick work of qualification
Liverpool and Ajax remained perfect in this year’s Champions League after somewhat similar wins. Both teams saw their opponents go down to 10 men in the first half and eventually won by two-goal margins.
Although, Ajax had to work hard for the first time in the tournament after going a goal down to 10-man Dortmund through a Marco Reus penalty. But they turned things around eventually with three goals in the last 20 minutes to win 3-1.
Meanwhile, Liverpool continued their habit of taking the lead very early – they went 2-0 up against Atletico Madrid within 21 minutes thanks to goals from Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane – and actually held onto their lead for a change as they kept Atleti without a single shot on target.
With qualification secured and top spot in the group all but assured, the two clubs will now have the luxury of resting their stars for their remaining two group-stage fixtures, which will be an especially big boost for Liverpool ahead of their busy holiday schedule.
Under-fire managers still in danger after Leipzig-PSG draw
Both Leipzig’s Jesse Marsch and PSG’s Mauricio Pochettino came into their match under increasing pressure. Marsch’s Red Bulls have struggled to adapt to his system and were without a point in three Champions League games. Meanwhile, Poch’s PSG continue to underperform even with the addition of Lionel Messi to their collection of superstars.
In the end, their two sides played out a 2-2 draw that did neither manager many favours. As they usually seem to do this season, PSG fought back from a deficit as Gini Wijnaldum scored twice to cancel out former PSG man Christopher Nkunku’s early goal.
Leipzig salvaged their first point thanks to a stoppage-time Dominik Szoboszlai penalty, but the draw officially knocked them out of the competition and put more pressure on Marsch.
As for Pochettino, not even holding on for a win would have completely silenced his critics, who believe he is not getting the best out of this PSG side that is among the favourites to win the tournament according to the Champions League 2021 odds.
City back to winning ways after recent losses
After two consecutive losses to West Ham in the EFL Cup and Crystal Palace in the league, Manchester City got back on track by battering poor Club Brugge 4-1 at the Etihad.
Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling, and Gabriel Jesus got the goals for City, who are now back at the top of Group A, a point ahead of PSG.
Pep Guardiola did not make too many changes to his side, which was a bit surprising given that the Manchester derby is coming up this weekend.
But Ruben Dias and Kevin De Bruyne, who both didn’t start, are expected to return to the side for the big match against their city rivals.
Inter closing in on knockout round return
Inter Milan have not made the Champions League knockout round since the 2011-12 season and have been knocked out in the group stage in each of the last three seasons. But that nearly decade-long drought might be coming to an end this year.
Inter are in a decent position to qualify after back-to-back 3-1 wins against Sheriff, which have lifted them to second place in Group D.
Granted, Simone Inzaghi’s side still have work to do. They are just one point ahead of Sheriff and still have to face Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
But the fact that they are in a strong position four games in is progress considering their recent run of disappointing European campaigns.
Milan on the brink of early exit
Meanwhile, AC Milan’s first Champions League campaign since 2014 is in serious danger of being cut short after a disappointing 1-1 draw at home against Porto. The Rossoneri are in last place in Group B with just one point from their first four games.
However, an early exit from Europe could end up benefiting Stefano Pioli’s side in the long run. Milan are very much in contention for the Serie A title this season. They are currently tied with Napoli at the top and are unbeaten in their first 10 games (9 wins, 1 draw) with seven wins in a row.
The lack of European commitments in 2022 would significantly boost their chances of challenging for their first Scudetto in over a decade, which would more than make up for their lack of Champions League 2021 highlights this season.
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