AC Milan and Barcelona, we are all familiar with these two teams in Champions League for sure. AC Milan is a team from the city of fashion, Milan, Italy. While Barcelona is a team from Catalunia, Spain. AC Milan or Milan, is the holder of 7 UEFA Champions League Cup trophies. Milan’s achievement is the second most after Real Madrid. Until now, Madrid is the holder of the most UEFA Champions League Cup trophies with 13 titles.
Barcelona or Bara, is the holder of 5 UEFA Champions League Cup trophies. Barca’s achievement is 2 trophies less than Milan. Barca are the 5th European team with the UEFA Champions League Cup. Above Barca there are still Bayern Munich and Liverpool.
Both teams are thus the big European teams. Because the two teams were able to win quite a lot of “The Wide Ears” trophy. Achievements that are difficult to obtain for other European teams. However, in the 2021-2022 season of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) competition, the fate of the two teams is quite worrying. The two big teams are in danger of not qualifying for the knockout phase of the last 16.
Milan, who are in Group B with Liverpool, Porto, and Atletico Madrid, until the 4th match of the group phase are still at the bottom of Group B standings with one point. Seeing these conditions, it seems that it will be very difficult for Milan to qualify for the knockout phase of the last 16. Although Milan can win the remaining two matches of Group B, Milan is also very dependent on other teams.
Milan’s opponents in the remaining two games will be Atletico Madrid and leaders Liverpool. Although Milan won over Atletico Madrid and Liverpool, but if Porto can win just one of the remaining two matches, it is certain that Milan will fail to qualify for the last 16. That is if Milan win. Especially if Milan lose or draw in the remaining two matches. Maybe Milan’s position remains at the bottom of Group B.
What about Barca? Three money in line with Milan. Barca are also threatened not to qualify for the knockout phase of the last 16. Even though in this case the chances of Barca not qualifying for the knockout phase of the last 16 are smaller than Milan. Barca, who are in Group E with Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Dynamo Kyiv, are currently in 2nd place in Group E. In the 5th match on Wednesday (24/11), Barca were only able to draw with a score glasses with Benfica.
Despite being in 2nd place in Group E, Barca’s chances of qualifying for the knockout phase of the last 16 are relatively small. In other words, Barca’s chances of not qualifying for the knockout phase of the last 16 are greater. Currently, Bara has only collected 7 points. The collection of Barca points is still very likely to be surpassed by Benfica.
Even though Benfica has only collected two points less than Barca, namely 5 points, in the last match of Group E they will face a weak team Dynamo Kyiv. Meanwhile, Barca have to face the leaders of Group E, Bayern Munich. Barca’s chances of winning over Munich are quite small, considering the current strength of Munich is quite extraordinary. On the other hand, the strength of Barca itself is fairly ordinary.
In the first meeting, in the 1st match of the Group E phase, Barca were beaten three goals without reply by Munich. Even though the match was held at Barca’s home, the Camp Nou Stadium. Moreover, in the second meeting with Munich later (09/12), Barca will travel to the Allianz Arena Stadium which is quite haunted for the visiting team. The possibility of Barca losing to Munich is greater.
Unless Munich want to negotiate with Barca so that Barca can qualify for the knockout phase of the last 16. for example. But that’s something that Munich is unlikely to do. Indeed, there is no other choice for Barca to qualify for the knockout phase of the last 16 other than winning over Munich. Barca’s fate is in the hands of Barca itself.
The last match of the Group E phase between Barca versus Munich on 9 December could be a proving ground for the new Barca coach, Xavi Hernandez. If Xavi can win the match against Munich, then Xavi’s quality as a coach has proven to be great. But if Barca lose again to Munich, what is the difference between Xavi and Ronald Koeman, Barca coach before Xavi himself? Simply put, there’s no point in changing the coach if the team’s performance doesn’t change.
If Milan and Barca really do not qualify for the knockout stage of the last 16, it can be understood as an irony. Considering both teams are big European teams in the UCL. However, there is a saying that the wheel of life is turning. Sometimes above sometimes below. Maybe Milan and Barca are currently at the bottom. But believe me, after that it will definitely rise back up.
ASL
