Well, the group games have come and gone in the Champions League this season, and in gameweek 6 we have cemented the winners and losers from the group stages. We’ve finally got our last 16 sides, and have already seen several huge sides drop out into the safety net of the Europa League. It’s been a majorly dramatic final round of fixtures, and we have seen some interesting team selections, dramatic results and fantastic drama. All the reasons we love the competition.

This seasons’ edition is possibly the most intriguing for some time, as superstar players have made shocking transfer moves, while it truly could be anyone trophy this year, with some major players at a crossroads, while others are steamrolling domestically and are a force to be reckoned with in the Champions League.

After the final gameweek of the group stages, we have a real insight into the tournament, and what is to come in the coming weeks and months. In this post, we have picked out a few headline talking points from the second to last round of group games to digest and take forward. We will be producing these posts every Champions League week, so if something catches your eye, let us know about it on Twitter (@NextGoalWinBlog) and we might just include it.

Enjoy.

Heroes to Europa League…

In 2015, Barcelona won their 5th Champions League trophy, and now just 6 years later, have found themselves in complete turmoil. Although given some optimism in the previous gameweek through new manager Xavi stepping up for his side, needing a result against Bayern was never going to be on the cards, and with them needing a result to reach the knockout rounds, it wasn’t to be as they again lost 3-0 to the dominant German side. With just 2 shots on target in the urgent game, it felt like they weren’t aware of the desperation from their supporters who expect nothing but the best. As a result of their 3rd place finish, they will now enter the Europa League, where they will surely be favourites, however with the performance against Bayern as their current form, I wouldn’t hold out much hope for them even in the Europa League.

‘Haller’luiah…

Sebastian Haller, yes the man who West Ham splashed £45million on in 2019 and couldn’t get even a sniff of a goal in the Premier League, is now one of Europe’s most high performing strikers, and after making his debut in the Champions League in September 2021, has already netted 10 goals for Ajax who remain unbeaten in their group this season. To put that into context, he has 1 more Champions League goal than Eden Hazard. With many sides on the hunt for a top striker, Ajax may have some competition for their star man in the coming weeks.

Simone masterclass…

Atletico Madrid love European drama, and their final group game against Porto had just about everything you’d expect from Simeone’s men. Running out 3-1 winners in the end, it was a well fought contest with several red cards, touchline scuffles and late drama that, as a neutral, makes the Champions League what it is really. A great contest, and Atletico get themselves over the line in the end.