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We're heading into matchday six of the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League and we'll soon have the fixtures list for the knockout stages. The competition will pick up more steam once the group stages are over.
But for now, football fans are eagerly looking to the final group stage matchday to see which clubs will take up the remaining knockout berths.
11 sides have already qualified for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16
As many as 11 sides have already booked themselves a berth in the Round of 16. They are Liverpool, Ajax, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Sporting Lisbon, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
As you can see, there are quite a few big names missing from that list. Without further ado, let's take a look at five top teams that might not make it to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
#5 Atalanta
Atalanta are known for playing an exciting brand of football. They are committed to bombing forward at every possible opportunity and the objective always seems to score more and more goals. Of course, this comes with a certain amount of compromise on the defensive side of things.
Atalanta are currently third in Group F with six points from five matches. Villarreal are currently second with seven points. The two sides will lock horns at the Atleti Azzurri d'Italia on Wednesday night.
It's simple for Atalanta and Villarreal really. Win the game and book a berth in the knockout stages alongside Manchester United. If they lose, they go to the Europa League. If it's a draw, Villarreal will progress.
Those late goals that they conceded against Manchester United over the course of the two fixtures between them could come to bite Atalanta in the back here.
#4 Sevilla
The top two spots in Group G are still up for grabs. The group is currently being headed by Lille, who have eight points. RB Salzburg have seven, Sevilla have six and Wolfsburg have five.
RB Salzburg appeared to be cruising before suffering back-to-back defeats against Wolfsburg and Lille last month. Sevilla's first win of the 2021-22 Champions League campaign came in their latest European matchup against Wolfsburg.
Sevilla need to win against RB Salzburg on Wednesday night to qualify for the Round of 16. Anything less than a win and Sevilla might well be on their way to the Europa League or worse yet, they could be knocked out of Europe altogether.
#3 AC Milan
AC Milan are currently league leaders in Serie A. But they could be dealt a heavy heartbreak on Tuesday night as Liverpool come to visit in their final group stage game of the Champions League.
Milan are third in Group B with just four points after five games. They beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano in November and that is their only win in the Champions League this season.
Porto are currently second in Group B with five points. They sit behind Liverpool, who have already qualified for the Round of 16. Porto and Atletico Madrid will clash tonight as well. If that game ends in a stalemate or Porto loses, then AC Milan can progress with a win.
Liverpool might not field their best XI here as there's nothing at stake for them and Klopp will want to give his main players a rest. So it's still very doable for the Rossoneri and there is no better time to register their first home win of the 2021-22 Champions League than tonight.
#2 Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid are bottom of Group B. Diego Simeone's side have looked vulnerable at the back and have been nowhere near their best in the 2021-22 season. They have lost all of their last three Champions League matches.
The Rojiblancos will square off against Porto at the Estadio do Dragao in Portugal. Porto have five points while AC Milan and Atletico Madrid have four points each. Sergio Conceicao's men will fancy themselves against an inconsistent Atletico Madrid side.
If Porto can register a win, they will qualify. If they can draw the game against Atletico Madrid and if AC Milan don't win their tie against Liverpool, they will still qualify. As you can see, the odds are stacked against Atletico Madrid.
#1 Barcelona
Barcelona shot themselves in the foot by settling for a 0-0 draw with Benfica in their latest Champions League game. The Catalans could have sealed qualification to the knockout stages with a win at home against the Portuguese outfit.
For now, Barcelona sit second in Group E. However, they will be going up against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night. It is not a fixture that the Catalans have found much joy in of late.
Meanwhile, Benfica take on Dynamo Kyiv at home. The Ukrainian side are yet to win a single Champions League game this term. Barcelona have seven points while Benfica have five.
Benfica won their first match against Barcelona 3-0. So if Barcelona end up drawing with Bayern Munich and Benfica win their game, the latter will progress. So as long as Benfica win their game against Dynamo Kyiv, Barcelona need to get all three points against Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich have won all three of their previous meetings with Barcelona in the Champions League. It is the longest run of wins by any team against Barcelona in the history of Europe's most elite competition.
