An even later than usual round-up of last week’s results, movements in the tables, and brief previews of tomorrow night’s big games.
Group A
After beating Barca the previous week the Old Lady of Turin beat unbeaten Bayern this time, at the Allianz Arena to boot.
The battle at the bottom saw Benfica move four points clear with what could turn out to be a crucial victory over Barcelona.
With four games to play, Bayern need just a point to be certain of qualifying for the Cup knockout stage.
Group B
Chelsea remain bottom of Group B despite ending Dortmund’s 100% record. Arsenal’s win at Verona sees them move back into the Cup qualifying positions, while Atletico’s win at the Bernebeu sends Real plummeting into the abyss of the Shield spots.
All to play for in this group, still, however, as 3rd placed Arsenal are just three points clear of Chelsea in sixth. Dortmund host second placed Atletico tomorrow night, where a home win will see James Foster’s side qualify for the Cup knockout stage.
Group C
Flamengo’s win over South American rivals Independiente moves them back into second and the Cup qualifying places. Defeat fro Gregg Robinson’s side means they are all but out of the Cup, although they can still qualify for the Shield knockout stage.
Valencia’s failure to field their youth team sees them swap places with Hoffenheim, while Marseille ended leaders’ Leverkusen’s 100% record, but slip down to third.
Group D
Roma boss Ryan Chisholm – on a scouting mission in Scotland – blamed a ‘media blackout’ and the country’s lack of internet for failing to select his youth team. The three points for Villa keeps them top of Group D, four points clear of the Shield qualifying places and Milan in second, who lost in Naples. Villa host Milan tomorrow knowing that a win will put them within striking distance of qualification for the Cup knockout stage.
Stoke’s win at Everton moves the to within a point of their north-west rivals. They host bottom club Roma on Saturday night knowing that failure to win could see them join Roma who are already out of the Cup qualifying race. Even if they win, a win for Villa will still see them left with only a Shield place to play for.
Group E
Manchester City leapfrogged Sevilla in the bottom three with their home victory, while Newcastle moved into second with a win over bottom club Liverpool.
Leaders Sporting comfortably saw off challengers Espanyol, who slip into third. Sporting host Newcastle on Saturday night in the match of the group this week.
Group F
Swansea got their first win of the campaign, and move off the bottom of the table, with an impressive win at Basel. Sassuolo’s slip into sixth with their defeat at Anderlecht, who return to the top following Sunderland’s defeat at home to Kyiv.
Group G
Spurs got their first point of the campaign in Florence, but also now have no hope of qualifying for the Cup knockout stage. If they fail to win in Berlin tomorrow night they will also not be able to qualify for the Shield.
Berlin move into second with their win at German rivals Augsburg. And leaders Inter consolidated their position with a good win at home to Shakhtar.
Group H
Bordeaux won at Besiktas to leapfrog Lazio who lost in Brugge, but just three points separate the top four in Group H.
Group I
No change in Group I with victories for the top two, and a first win of the campaign for Lokomotiv.
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