Many huge teams face must-win games in the final round of Champions League games before Christmas.
The teams have just three games left in the newly formed League stage to secure their places in the knockout stages, with holders Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain avoiding an early shock exit far from safe.
These are the five games to watch out for in the Champions League this week.
Girona vs Liverpool (Tuesday, 5.45pm)
Unlike some others on this list, Liverpool sit comfortably at the top of the table as they look to maintain their perfect start so far.
Arne Slot’s Reds have already knocked out AC Milan, Bologna, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid and now head to Spain to face upstarts Girona.
While a top-eight finish, which seals automatic progress to the last 16, will surely be secured with another win, Girona are also desperate for three points as they try to avoid elimination from the competition.
LaLiga’s third-placed side last season are currently 30th, three points off the all-important 24th place they need to sneak into a play-off spot – so a shock home win would do them good in world.
Atalanta – Real Madrid (Tuesday, 20:00)
Holders Real face an unthinkable early exit from the competition after a poor run of just two wins and three defeats so far, which currently leaves them in the final play-off spot in 24th place.
Los Blancos were taught a lesson at Anfield last time out and another tough away trip is on the cards as they travel to fifth-placed Atalanta, who are top of Serie A and unbeaten in the Champions League so far.
After a 3-0 win over Girona in the week they needed it, Carlo Ancelotti’s men need to start winning in the Champions League and fast, especially if they still have hopes of sneaking into the top eight.
When Real Madrid and Atalanta met in #SuperCup ⏪
⚽ Bape’s first goal for Real Madrid…#UCL pic.twitter.com/28zGnLS7e2
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 9, 2024
RB Salzburg vs Paris Saint-Germain (Tuesday, 20:00)
PSG are in a similarly perilous position, currently outside the top 24, having picked up four points so far.
Like Madrid, the Ligue 1 champions desperately need to start getting points on the board, although the task is slightly easier as they face Rb Salzburg.
The Austrian side are one point behind Tuesday’s opponents, having only beaten Feyenoord in matchday 4.
If PSG slip up again, then exiting the competition before the knockout stages will become a real possibility with just two games to play.
Juventus – Manchester City (Wednesday, 20:00)
Manchester City suffered yet another setback against Crystal Palace at the weekend and will be looking to get back to winning ways at Juventus.
It is City’s first game in the competition since their incredible run against Feyenoord two weeks ago, throwing away a three-goal lead for a 3-3 draw that extended their winless streak in all competitions to seven games.
As a result, the 2023 Treble winners have to work hard to secure their place in the top eight as they currently sit 17th, two points off the automatic places.
The Old Lady are also in eight, but are two points behind, so a win for either side would be huge for their prospects.
The 6th matchday is here! 🙌#UCL pic.twitter.com/H6w2ztU5F9
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 9, 2024
Borussia Dortmund – Barcelona (Wednesday, 20:00)
The final game to latch on to is two teams looking good in the Champions League as last season’s finalists Borussia Dortmund take on a rejuvenated Barcelona.
The pair are fourth and third respectively, having both collected 12 points so far, with both enjoying routine 3-0 wins over Dinamo Zagreb and Brest last time out in the competition.
Despite their impressive form, both teams have struggled domestically, with Dortmund winless after a win in Croatia following draws against Bayern Munich and Borussia Monchengladbach.
Barca also lost to Las Palmas and drew with Real Betis either side of a 5-0 win over Mallorca and with a win at either to seal their place in the top eight for sure, much is at stake at Signal Iduna Park.
