“We can do it, we think positively,” Eirk ten Hag endorsed this Monday with words that mixed conviction and desperation. The last day of the group stage of the Champions League has painted a scenario of terror for Manchester United, three-time champion of the tournament, but it has also left them with a difficult-to-access door that leads them to the round of 16.
The Red Devils do not depend on themselves, but the carom they need is not entirely unreasonable. So it's free to dream in the Theater of Dreams, where tonight the almighty Bayern will perform, which has not lost in the group stage since 2017 but has already secured first place in group A. United's winning combination inevitably involves defeating the Bavarians and hoping that at the Parken Stadion Copenhagen and Galatasaray, who with a win would advance to the round of 16, reach a draw.
There is also a passport to the round of 16 to be distributed in group C, where Real Madrid has dominated with an iron fist and Naples and Braga will play for second place with a card in the Diego Armando Maradona. The advantage goes to those from Campania, who even losing by one goal would be classified. But the duel comes with curves for Mazzarri's team, since Osimhen has once again been a protagonist off the field of play and yesterday he missed training prior to such an important match due to traveling to Morocco for the African Ballon d'Or gala. Of course, with the permission of President De Laurentiis.
Of what is disputed this Tuesday, the San Siro duel between Inter and Real Sociedad will also draw attention, with first place in group D at stake. A draw would be enough for those from San Sebastián to enter as seeded in next Monday's draw.
On Wednesday the last two teams that will enter the round of 16 pot will be defined, although it will be group F that will undoubtedly focus all eyes. Although the positions remain to be defined in the Barça group, with the virtual Blaugrana first and with Porto with almost all the cards to be second, the possibility that Paris Saint-Germain of Luis Enrique and Mbappé will be left out may be one of the football news of the year. PSG visits an already classified Dortmund with all the scenarios open. If he wins, he will be first. If they draw or lose they can go as second depending on what Newcastle and Milan do at St. James' Park. The excitement is guaranteed.
