The Champions League group stages come to an end on Wednesday night, with plenty still on the line for a number of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Manchester United have already secured safe passage to the last 16 after winning Group F, while Chelsea have also progressed through from Group H.
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However, to ensure they top Group H ahead of Juventus, Thomas Tuchel’s side must win in Russia against Zenit St Petersburg – knowing that anything less could see Massimiliano Allegri’s team nip in with a win over Malmo.
The pressure is also on Barcelona to get a result in Germany against Bayern Munich. If they don’t, there’s every chance Benfica could seal a place in the last 16 with victory over Dynamo Kyiv – a result that could force Xavi’s side into the Europa League rather than the knockout phase of the Champions League.
Follow along below for 90min‘s coverage as the action unfolds.
Zenit 3-3 Chelsea
In the end, Chelsea needed victory against Zenit to win Group H – but Thomas Tuchel’s injury-hit side were unable to get the job done in a thoroughly entertaining game.
The Blues were hot out of the traps in Russia, with Timo Werner netting from close range after less than two minutes after Zenit failed to deal with an in-swinging Mason Mount corner. That strike marked the club’s fastest ever Champions League goal (84 seconds), but a funny five minutes just before half-time turned the game on its head.
First, Claudinho headed home for Zenit after Chelsea failed to adequately clear their lines, before Ross Barkley’s error allowed Malcom to put Sardar Azmoun clean through on goal.
The in-demand striker then rounded Kepa with ease, sliding into the ball into the back of the net to leave Tuchel looking less than impressed on the touchline at his side’s quick collapse.
After (probably) a rocket from Tuchel at half-time, Chelsea came out in the second half with a little more purpose, and were rewarded with an equalising goal when Romelu Lukaku fired home from close range.
The Blues then retook the lead through Werner five minutes from time, but a terrific goal four minutes into stoppage time from Magomed Ozdoyev ensured the game would end 3-3.
Juventus 1-0 Malmo
Juventus pounced on Chelsea’s slip-up with a 1-0 win over Malmo at the Allianz Stadium.
The Old Lady have been far from their best for the majority of the domestic season, but came into this game having won four out of their five group games – that sole defeat being a thumping 4-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge by Chelsea.
But Massimiliano Allegri’s side got the job done in Turin, with victory handed to them by a Moise Kean header early in the first half. The Italian planted his effort home from close range after a terrific cross into the area from Federico Bernardeschi.
Bayern Munich vs Barcelona (20:00)
Barcelona desperately need a result against Bayern Munich, or they face elimination from the competition if Benfica beat Dynamo Kyiv.
In order to get one, Xavi has gone with a back three to combat Bayern’s attacking threat of Kingsley Coman, Robert Lewandowski and Leroy Sane – and that’s before you look at the creativity in midfield.
Bayern Munich lineup: Neuer; Pavard, Upamecano, Sule; Davies; Tolisso, Musiala, Muller; Coman, Lewandowski, Sane
Barcelona lineup: Ter Stegen; Pique, Araujo, Lenglet; Dest, Busquets, De Jong, Alba; Gavi, Memphis, Dembele
Benfica vs Dynamo Kyiv (20:00)
Man Utd vs Young Boys (20:00)
Manchester United have already qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League – and you can tell judging by Ralf Rangnick’s team selection.
It what can only be described as a loose 4-0-6, it appears the Red Devils will be in all-out attack mode – with Nemanja Matic slotting into defence alongside Eric Bailly. Jesse Lingard gets a chance to impress, as does exciting young forward Anthony Elanga.
As for the bench, it really is a who’s who of United academy products – including Tom Heaton, who graduated from the club’s youth ranks during the 2000s.
Man Utd lineup: Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Matic, Shaw; Mata, Van de Beek, Lingard; Greenwood, Elanga, Amad
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