Real Madrid is used to breezing through the Champions League, rather than facing must-win matches near the end of the group stage.
But poor performances this season have left Zinedine Zidane’s team needing a victory on against Borussia Mönchengladbach to ensure the record 13-time European champions don’t miss out on the knockout phase for the first time in the club’s Champions League history.
With a draw, Madrid can still squeak through to the round of 16 if Shakhtar Donetsk loses at Inter Milan.
Madrid has never failed to get past the group stage in its 25 previous campaigns. Before falling in last season’s round of 16, Madrid had reached at least the semifinals for eight consecutive seasons, winning the title four times in that stretch.
Lionel Messi’s latest meeting with old rival Cristiano Ronaldo features as the other main attraction in the last of the group games. Messi’s Barcelona hosts Ronaldo’s Juventus today with both already qualified.
Group B has proven to be the most competitive. Gladbach leads it with eight points. Madrid and Shakhtar each have seven, two more than last-place Inter. All four can still advance, and all four can still miss out.
When Gladbach hosted Madrid in October, the German club was leading 2-0 until Karim Benema and Casemiro scored late to salvage a 2-2 draw.
Madrid’s only two wins both came against Inter. It was beaten twice by Shakhtar.
Struggling in attack, Madrid has also had problems in defense, conceding nine goals in five group games, its worst defensive record up to this point in the competition. A hamstring injury has sidelined defensive leader Sergio Ramos for the last two weeks. Injuries to right backs Dani Carvajal and Álvaro Odriozola have forced Zidane to play a forward, Lucas Vázquez, in their spot.
“We’re going through a bit of a tough spell lately,” said Zidane. “The recent days have been difficult, but this team is full of character. It thrives on challenges and this win is hugely important for what is to come”.
Gladbach can go through with a draw. In the case of a loss at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium, it would need Shakhtar and Inter to draw.
STALEMATE
Two of the trio of Paris Saint-
Germain, Manchester United and Leipzig will advance from Group H; the other having to settle for the Europa League. All three are tied on nine points.
Last year’s losing finalist PSG can win the group with a victory over eliminated Istanbul Basaksehir today. It can even advance with a loss as long as United’s game at Leipzig does not end in a draw.
A draw in Germany would be enough for United. Leipzig will aim to beat United because a draw will leave the German team needing Basaksehir to upset PSG.
If he plays, PSG star Kylian Mbappe will be trying to break his 13-match, nine-month scoring drought in the Champions League.
Here’s a look the group games for today:
GROUP E
Chelsea welcomes Krasnodar and Sevilla is at Rennes with absolutely nothing at stake. Chelsea is already through as group winner and Sevilla is through in second place. Krasdonar is going to the Europa League; Rennes will place fourth.
GROUP F
Borussia Dortmund is already classified but can claim the group outright if it wins at eliminated Zenit St. Petersburg. Lazio can advance for the first time in 20 years if it avoids defeat against Brugge, which must win in Rome to progress to the next stage.
GROUP G
Barcelona will win the group unless Juventus can overtake it in head-to-head goals. Barcelona won 2-0 in Turin. Ronaldo missed that possible rematch with Messi after catching the coronavirus.
The two best players of their generation have not faced another since Ronaldo left Real Madrid in 2018.
Dynamo Kyiv hosts Ferencvaros. Both teams have one point. AP
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