Champions League round-up: Clean sweep for Premier League sides as Barcelona and PSG drop points

The penultimate round of this season’s elite European competition group stage fixtures saw wins for Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea while other big name sides dropped points.
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With just one round of group games left, all four English sides in this season’s Champions League are set to progress to the knockout stages.

Some have already guaranteed their positions as group winners, meaning they will be seeded for the draw in the next round, while others still have that to play for.

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Meanwhile, other big name teams from the continent haven’t had such success and are struggling just to make it out of their group, with a lot still to play for in the final round of matches.

Here is how each group stands after round five:

Group A

  1. Manchester City - 12 points
  2. PSG - 8 points
  3. RB Leipzig - 4 points
  4. Club Bruges - 4 points

Round five results: Manchester City 2-1 PSG, Club Bruges 0-5 RB Leipzig

Raheem Sterling of Manchester City scores their team's first goal past Keylor Navas of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain at Etihad StadiumRaheem Sterling of Manchester City scores their team's first goal past Keylor Navas of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain at Etihad Stadium
Raheem Sterling of Manchester City scores their team's first goal past Keylor Navas of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain at Etihad Stadium

Manchester City’s 2-1 win over PSG secured their position in the Last 16 as winners of group A while Leipzig’s dominant win in Belgium means that PSG will also go through as runners-up.

Leipzig and Bruges are now level on points going into the final round but the German’s have a considerably better goal difference meaning they are in the better position to ensure European football in the new year.

Group B

  1. Liverpool - 15 points
  2. Porto - 5 points
  3. AC Milan - 4 points
  4. Atletico Madrid - 4 points
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Round five results: Liverpool 2-0 Porto, Atletico Madrid 0-1 AC Milan

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool gives instructions to his team mates during the UEFA Champions League group B match between Liverpool FC and FC Porto at AnfieldMohamed Salah of Liverpool gives instructions to his team mates during the UEFA Champions League group B match between Liverpool FC and FC Porto at Anfield
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool gives instructions to his team mates during the UEFA Champions League group B match between Liverpool FC and FC Porto at Anfield

What looked a particularly difficult group when it was drawn has proven anything but for Liverpool who have won all five of their matches so far, scoring 15 goals and conceding just five.

They had already qualified as group winners before round five and are now just playing to maintain their 100 percent record.

There’s a three way battle for the second qualifying spot going into the final round which could prove exciting.

Group C

  1. Ajax - 15 points
  2. Sporting - 9 points
  3. Borusia Dortmund - 6 points
  4. Besiktas - 0 points
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Round five results: Sporting 3-1 Dortmund, Besiktas 1-2 Ajax

The Dutch champions are through as group winners and Sporting are best placed to join them in the last 16 after their home win over Dortmund.

The Portuguese side also have a vastly superior goal difference to the German’s meaning only a massive turnaround will see the final standings changed from where they are now.

Besiktas are out and have no chance left of even securing a Europa League spot as a consolation after five defeats from five.

Group D

  1. Real Madrid - 12 points
  2. Inter Milan - 10 points
  3. Sheriff Tiraspol - 6 points
  4. Shakhtar Donetsk - 1 point
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Round five results: Sheriff 0-3 Real Madrid, Inter 2-0 Shakhtar

Despite beating Real Madrid in Round 2, one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history, Moldovan champions Sheriff are out of the competition after a 3-0 defeat at home to the Spanish giants.

However, they have already secured their spot in the Europa League with Shakhtar’s 2-0 defeat in Italy ensuring they will finish bottom.

It’s all to play for at the Bernabeau in round six when Real and Inter go head to head to win the group.

Group E

  1. Bayern Munich - 15 points
  2. Barcelona - 7 points
  3. Benfica - 5 points
  4. Dynamo Kyiv - 1 point
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Round five results: Dynamo Kyiv 1-2 Bayern Munich, Barcelona 0-0 Benfica

Just like Liverpool, Bayern are through as group winners having won all five of their matches so far.

Barcelona are in danger of missing out on the last 16 and need to equal or better Benfica’s result in round six to qualify.

It’s a great chance for the Portugese side to displace them with Xavi’s Barca heading to Munich and the Eagles at home to bottom side Dynamo, who are winless so far, in the final round of group games.

Group F

  • Manchester United - 10 points
  • Villareal - 7 points
  • Atalanta - 6 points
  • Young Boys - 4 points
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Round five results: Villareal 0-2 Manchester United, Young Boys 3-3 Atalanta

Jadon Sancho of Manchester United challenges for the ball against Moi Gomez of Villareal FC during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Villarreal CF and Manchester United at Estadio de la CeramicaJadon Sancho of Manchester United challenges for the ball against Moi Gomez of Villareal FC during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Villarreal CF and Manchester United at Estadio de la Ceramica
Jadon Sancho of Manchester United challenges for the ball against Moi Gomez of Villareal FC during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Villarreal CF and Manchester United at Estadio de la Ceramica

Manchester United are though but, apart from that, it’s still all to play for after round five.

With three points separating United and Villareal the Spaniards can still finish as group winners but they will miss out altogether should they lose at Atalanta in round six.

Since those two sides are facing each other, it means Young Boys will be unable to qualify but could still secure third spot with a win against United.

Group G

  1. Lille - 8 points
  2. RB Salzburg - 7 points
  3. Sevilla - 6 points
  4. Wolfsburg - 5 points
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Round five results: Sevilla 2-0 Wolfsburg, Lille 1-0 Salzburg

In Group G it really is all to play for after round five with all four teams still able to qualify for the last 16.

There’s been very little to separate the sides so far an it’s impossible to call ahead of the final round of group games.

Lille will qualify as group leaders with a win over Wolfsburg and Salzburg would only need a draw against Sevilla should the French side win but the table can still be turned on its head.

Group H

  1. Chelsea - 12 points
  2. Juventus - 12 points
  3. Zenit St Petersburg - 4 points
  4. Malmo - 1 point

Round five results: Chelsea 4-0 Juventus, Malmo 1-1 Zenit

Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Chelsea takes instructions from Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea before coming on a substitute during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Chelsea FC and Juventus at Stamford BridgeRuben Loftus-Cheek of Chelsea takes instructions from Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea before coming on a substitute during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Chelsea FC and Juventus at Stamford Bridge
Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Chelsea takes instructions from Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea before coming on a substitute during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Chelsea FC and Juventus at Stamford Bridge
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Chelsea and Juventus are both in the hat for the last 16 draw and Zenit look poised to move to the Europa League.

The Blues have a far superior goal difference to the Italians and will win the group with victory in Russia in their final game but a slip up could allow Juve to displace them at the top of the table.

It’s safe to say that whoever does finish second, they will be the least desirable draw for any of the seeded teams.

Round Six dates & fixtures

The final round of group stage games take place on December 7/8.

Tuesday, December 7:

  • Paris Saint-Germain v Club Brugge
  • RB Leipzig v Manchester City
  • AC Milan v Liverpool
  • Ajax v Sporting Lisbon
  • Borussia Dortmund v Besiktas
  • FC Porto v Atletico Madrid
  • Real Madrid v Inter Milan
  • Shakhtar Donetsk v Sheriff Tiraspol

Wednesday, December 8:

  • Juventus v Malmo
  • Zenit St. Petersburg v Chelsea
  • Atalanta v Villarreal
  • Bayern Munich v Barcelona
  • Benfica v Dynamo Kiev
  • Manchester United v Young Boys
  • Red Bull Salzburg v Sevilla
  • Wolfsburg v Lille

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