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PSG recited their football on Tuesday against Maccabi Haifa (7-2), qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League just like Chelsea, Dortmund and Benfica, executioner of an eliminated Juventus (4-3).
The start of the 5th day of the Champions League, Wednesday, October 25, allowed several clubs to win their ticket to the knockout stages of European competition – including PSG. Other clubs have said goodbye to a course to lift the “Big Ears Cup”, like Juventus Turin.
Group E: Chelsea qualified, AC Milan will have to wait
Sacred recovery for Chelsea. 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 (59th), took the opportunity to move into 2nd qualifying place (7 pts), ahead of Salzburg (6 pts), their opponent for the final day.
Group F: a loss without consequence for Real Madrid
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 the Frenchman Nkunku (18th). And despite the reductions in the score of Vinicius (44th) and Rodrygo (90th + 4), Leipzig secured their victory.
Enough to allow the German club to consolidate its second place (9 pts) ahead of Shakhtar Donetsk (6 pts), its next opponent, held back by Celtic in Glasgow (1-1)
Group G: Dortmund clinch qualification
Qualification in hand for Borussia Dortmund. The Germans settled for a draw (0-0) against Manchester City, already qualified, to secure a place in the round of 16 and nullify the efforts of Sevilla, winner in vain of 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 (58th).
Nothing dramatic for the Citizens, who secure first place in the pool with this draw.
Group H: PSG and Benfica qualified in 8th, Juventus eliminated
PSG largely dominated their subject against Maccabi Haifa (7-2) thanks to a “MNM” of the big nights. The Parisian club thus joins the knockout stages of the Champions League even before the end of the group stages.
Benfica qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League by beating Juventus Turin (4-3), de facto eliminated, after a spectacular match in Lisbon. With 11 points, Benfica (2nd) are tied with Group H leaders PSG going into the final day next week.
The Turinese (3rd), double winners of the C1 and seven times finalists, will try to win third place, a ticket which would grant them access to the 16th finals of the Europa League.