For the eleventh consecutive year, Paris Saint-Germain will see the knockout phase of the European premier event, after a very successful performance by their attacking trio “MNM” (Messi-Neymar-Mbappé) against Haifa (7-2 ).
This success guarantees PSG (11 points) one of the first two places in Group H, of which it occupies the lead with Benfica (11 points). And the Parisians will travel to Turin next week to compete for first place, synonymous with a potentially more affordable draw on November 7 in Nyon, Switzerland.
Which Juve will PSG find next Wednesday? Hard to say, because the “Old Lady” fell in Lisbon against Benfica, and finds herself eliminated from the competition.
Dortmund qualified, City first
In Group G, Dortmund qualify for the 8th: Borussia settled for a 0-0 draw against Manchester City, already qualified, to secure a place in the eighth and nullify the efforts of Sevilla, winner in vain Copenhagen 3-0.
For the reunion with Erling Haaland, his former center forward who left to shine in England with City, Dortmund resisted well and his goalkeeper Gregor Kobel stopped a penalty obtained and shot by Riyad Mahrez.
Nothing dramatic for the Citizens, who secure first place in the pool with this draw.
Leipzig surprises the great Real
On the side of group F, defending champion and already qualified for the eighth, Real Madrid lost their first match of the season (3-2), surprised by the RB Leipzig of Christopher Nkunku, scorer.
With a revamped eleven, without the Ballons d’Or Karim Benzema and Luka Modric, spared, the European champions found themselves quickly led, in particular thanks to a heavy strike from Frenchman Nkunku. And despite Vinicius and Rodrygo’s score reductions, Leipzig secured victory.
Enough to allow the German club to consolidate its second place (9 points) ahead of Shakhtar Donetsk (6 points), its next opponent, held back by Celtic in Glasgow (1-1).
Chelsea in the eighth, Milan takes advantage
Sacred recovery for Chelsea in Group E: badly started after an inaugural defeat but revived by their new coach Graham Potter, the London club obtained their qualification for the eighth on the penultimate day by beating Salzburg 2-1.
With 10 points, the 2021 European champion club is guaranteed to be in the next round as first in the group after AC Milan’s victory in Zagreb (4-0).
The Milanese, winners in particular thanks to Olivier Giroud from the penalty spot, took the opportunity to move into 2nd qualifying place (7 points), ahead of Salzburg (6 points), their opponent for the final day.