Atlético watches among the top eight in the Champions League because he understands that it is entirely possible that he wins the remaining three matches of the first phase and consequently ends up adding 18 points, an amount that could be enough to qualify directly for the round of 16 and avoid the previous round of 16 who will compete from ninth to twenty-fourth classified. The Rojiblancos are currently fifteenth, but are only one point away from eighth position.
To those of Simeone they left two home matches and one away. The first before Bratislava Slovanwho have not added a single point in the Champions League, are supposed to advance without too many problems. With this shock, which would place the rojiblancos with 12 points, will end in 2024 in a privileged situation, because either he will already be in the top eight, or the maximum distance will be one point, which is the same situation he is in now.
The last two matches of the group stage will be played in January 2025 and there you really have to give everything, especially in the first, before the Bayer Leverkusen of Xabi Alonsocurrently sixth with 10 points. Athletics It depends mathematically on itself to surpass the Germans in the ranking, which already guarantees you a place.
The last match of the first phase would be played against Salzburgwho has just conceded five goals against Leverkusen. The Austrians are experiencing one of their worst moments in recent decades, without having added more than one victory in the Champions League and 14 points behind leader Sturm Graz in their country’s championship. In this situation, win in the Red Bull Arena seems feasible. Curiously, the Austrians’ last two matches in the group stage will take place against Spanish teams, since the day before they will travel to Santiago Bernabéu.
Although politics continues to be that of one party to anotherand from there no one moves even a millimeter, the truth is that behind closed doors it is normal to take the calculator and do numbers. Figures which seemed impossible after the defeat against Lille at the Metropolitano, but which are no longer a pipe dream. Of course, before facing Slovan You have to face three rivals in SpainValladolid and Sevilla in La Liga and Cacereño in the Cup, and of course it won’t be easy at all.
