MADRID, 28 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Manchester United will visit Galatasaray this Wednesday (6:45 p.m.) during matchday 5 in the group stage of the Champions League, with the obligation for both parties to win to continue with full qualification options, while Arsenal will host Lens (9:00 p.m.) being able to mathematically seal their place in the round of 16.
The team coached by Eric Ten Hag faces a critical day at the complicated RAMS Park in Istanbul, where it needs to get a good result to avoid being ‘evicted’ in Group A. To do so, it must leave Turkey with a victory that will make it face with a little more clarity their subsequent challenge against Bayern Munich, undefeated so far.
Sixth in the Premier League after three consecutive victories, Manchester United is last in its European group, with three points, while Copenhagen and Galatasaray are tied at four. Among them will be the other classified for the round of 16, since Bayern already has its mathematical ticket; one will go to the Europa League and finally the fourth will say goodbye to all European competition this year.
The matchday 2 match between Galatasaray and Manchester United at Old Trafford ended with a comeback for the Turkish team (2-3); That cracked the ‘red devils’, who did not add a single point in the first two days of the top European competition. Furthermore, the Turkish team, which has never lost at home against United in a continental tournament, could put its progress on track with a win.
Another great news for Galatasaray is that their scorer, Mauro Icardi, scored again in last weekend’s league victory against Alanyaspor (4-0). That goal ended a streak of four games without scoring, in which the team led by Okan Buruk also suffered two defeats.
In addition, the leader Bayern receives Copenhagen at the Allianz Arena (9:00 p.m.). With the Munich team having already secured first place in the group, the objective will be to continue increasing their record of 17 wins and 38 games without losing in the group stage of the Champions League.
‘GUNNER’ OPTIMISM
On the other hand, Arsenal are seeking against Lens and at the Emirates Stadium to seal their place in the round of 16, a round that the Gunners have not visited since 2017, when they were decisively defeated by Bayern Munich with an overall result of 10 -2 in their tie.
To achieve the mathematical pass, Mikel Arteta’s team must score against a rival that beat them (2-1) during matchday 2. The Londoners arrive at this event on a streak of three consecutive victories and as leaders of the Premier, leaving behind a small blip of two defeats against West Ham and Newcastle. Furthermore, the eight European matches they have played at the Emirates without being defeated invite optimism.
Meanwhile, Lens is looking for a positive result in London that will allow it to depend on itself on the final day to reach the round of 16 of the top continental competition for the first time in its history. If they fail to do so, Franck Haise’s men will depend on Sevilla not losing to PSV to continue maintaining their chances of qualifying on the sixth and final matchday.
Furthermore, in Group D, Inter visits Benfica at the Estadio da Luz (9:00 p.m.); Those from Milan know that, whatever happens, they will depend on themselves to secure the lead on the last day, on Milanese soil, against Real Sociedad. And finally, Sporting de Braga and Union Berlin meet in Portugal (9:00 p.m.) with the spoils of third place in Group C at stake.