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The UEFA Champions League group stages are halfway done, with most of the favourites already sitting pretty on top of their groups.
However, for some big names, the path to the knockout rounds are still not certain, and tough fixtures looming.
Here are the top 3 teams who, despite their resources, may not be able to reach the last 16 of Europe’s biggest club competition:
1. AC Milan
In one of the tougher groups in the Champions League, Milan are placed comfortably in second behind Barcelona with 5 points from 3 games, with Celtic third in the group with 3 points.
However, a look at their upcoming fixtures show that a place in the final 16 of the competition might not be as easily achieved as first thought.
On matchday four, they face Barcelona in the reverse fixture at Camp Nou, a game that the hosts will be heavily favoured to win. Following that match, they travel to Celtic to play a match that can have a huge bearing on who qualifies out of the group.
Given the relative strengths of both teams, Milan would be expected to beat the Scottish outfit. However, casting a glance at Celtic’s quite outstanding home record in the Champions League in recent seasons shows that claiming points in front of Celtic’s passionate home support might not be the easiest task.
As can be seen, Milan’s last two visits ended in a draw and a loss, not welcoming signs for Massimiliano Allegri’s side.
If Celtic, who beat Ajax on Tuesday, can do the double over the Dutch team and surprise Milan once again, then even a loss against Barcelona on matchday six would not stop them from reaching the final 16 for the second consecutive season.
2. Juventus
The footballing world was full of praise for Juventus after the Old Lady romped to the Serie A title last season, and following further improvements to their squad over the summer, Antonio Conte’s men were expected to improve on their quarterfinals performance from last term.
However, with three games left to salvage their European campaign, Juve lie third in Group B with two points, with in-form Galatasaray and Real Madrid ahead of them.
Their next matchday’s encounter against Real Madrid will be crucial for their hopes of qualifying, as another loss against Los Blancos could all but eliminate their hopes of making the knockout rounds, especially if Roberto Mancini’s Galatasaray repeat Wednesday’s hammering of FC Copenhagen again.
For that game, they will be missing first-choice centre-half Giorgio Chiellini, who was sent off against Madrid this week for a foul on Cristiano Ronaldo.
Galatasaray will also go into their fixture against Juventus at home on the final matchday with confidence, having drawn the Italian giants in Turin on matchday two, as well as the record of having never lost to the Old Lady at the Turk Telekom Arena. Given their raucous crowd support and possible do-or-die situation, the Turkish club could hold the aces to claiming the second spot in the group over Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal, and co.
3. Arsenal
Two wins in three games really isn’t a bad conversion rate for the Gunners, who have this season been playing some top quality football. However, Napoli and Borussia Dortmund join them in the three-way tie for first place with six points, making it too close for comfort yet for Arsene Wenger’s outfit.
They would still be favourites to reach the knockout rounds, you say? Here are a few reasons why they could be the team out of the three vying for a spot that could get booted out:
1. Away fixtures - Out of the three teams, Arsenal are the only team that play two games away from home. Unfortunately for them, both those games are against the teams they are fighting against directly for a spot in the final 16, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli.
2. Pre- and post-Champions League matches - Currently lying in first in the Premier League, Arsenal will be looking to focus on their title challenge as well, along with their exertions in the Champions League.
However, a closer look at their fixtures show that they have tough games against their direct rivals right before and/or after each of their two important away games against Borussia Dortmund and Napoli, fixtures for which they might need to rotate their players.
In between their game against Dortmund comes a home game against second-placed Liverpool and an away trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
They face Everton before travelling to Naples, followed by an away fixture against 2011-12 Premier League champions Manchester City following their last Champions League fixture.
With Wenger expected to keep one eye on these games, their focus from the Champions League might wane, while the Gunners’ players will have to be managed as well, which could disrupt their chances of making the last 16.
