On a cloud in the Champions League, Brest travels to the field of FC Barcelona on Tuesday during the 5th day of the Champions League phase to continue its dream course in C1, while PSG is almost playing for its survival in the competition at Munich, against Bayern. The poster for the 5th day takes place on Wednesday in Liverpool between the “Reds”, leaders of the Premier League and the C1 ranking, and Real Madrid of Kylian Mbappé, title holder, but already defeated twice in the European Cup. Europe this season.
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For Brest, sensation of the Champions League this season, very serious things are really starting. Winners of less successful opponents during the previous days, the Brestois set off to attack Barcelona, five-time winner of the event, in a position that no one had predicted. In the standings, with 10 points and fourth place in the C1 league phase, the Bretons are ahead of the Blaugranas, sixth by one length. They will have no pressure, being almost guaranteed to compete at least in the play-offs to reach the round of 16.
Bayern-PSG, two giants off to a bad start
The eyes of Barcelona, first in La Liga and nestled in the good part of the C1 ranking, will be turned towards their scorer Robert Lewandowski. With 99 goals scored, the Pole could be the third player in history to exceed 100 goals in C1 after Messi and Ronaldo. Both teams therefore have a lot to gain and very little to lose.
Quite the opposite of Bayern-PSG bringing together two European giants who are off to a bad start this season. Solid leader of the Bundesliga, Bayern is only 17th (6 pts) and potentially qualified for its play-offs. But the Bavarians, in good form, aim to win their next four C1 matches and go directly to the round of 16.
Which is not good for Paris, stuck in 25th place (4 pts), virtually eliminated and playing big during its German trip. A defeat for the Parisians would not automatically mean their elimination, but direct qualification would likely be out of reach, as would seeding status for the play-offs.
They would make an already difficult task even more complicated when we know that Bayern are undefeated in 32 Champions League group matches at home (30 wins, 2 draws) since their 3-2 defeat against Manchester City in December 2013. Another era.
Liverpool-Real shock
Especially since the giant Manchester City is faltering. Before hosting Feyenoord on Tuesday, Pep Guardiola’s players suffered five consecutive defeats, including the last bitter one at home 4-0 against Tottenham.
Well placed in C1 (10th, 7pts), the Citizens must get back on track against the Dutch (21st, 6pts) if they want to continue to inspire fear throughout Europe.
The two other French clubs, Monaco (3rd, 10 pts) and Lille (14th, 7 pts), in a favorable position for qualification, play on Wednesday, respectively against Benfica Lisbon (19th) and Bologna (31st).
Wednesday is also the day of the clash of this 5th day of C1 between Liverpool, leader of the Premier League and Champions League rankings, and Real Madrid, in difficulty at the start of the season, only 18th (out of 36) with 6 points.
The Madrilenians have also lost Vinicius Jr, injured in the hamstring, and are now praying that the international break has truly put their star, Kylian Mbappé, back on track.
The 5th day program (hours in TU)
Tuesday November 26, 2024
5:45 p.m. Sparta Prague – Atlético Madrid
Slovan Bratislava – AC Milan
8 p.m. Bayern Munich – Paris SG
Barcelona – Brest
Sporting CP – Arsenal
Manchester City – Feyenoord
Inter Milan – Leipzig
Leverkusen – Salzburg
Young Boys – Atalanta
Wednesday November 27, 2024
5:45 p.m. Red Star Belgrade – Stuttgart
Sturm Graz – Girona
8 p.m. Monaco – Benfica Lisbon
Bologna – Lille
Liverpool – Real Madrid
Aston Villa – Juventus
Celtic – Club Brugge
Dinamo Zagreb – Dortmund
PSV Eindhoven – Shakhtar Donetsk