Crunch time for United in Europe

Champions League action all about Group B with everything still left to play for
PARIS — The main focus of Monday night’s European Champions League action will be on Group B, where nothing has yet been decided going into the final round of games (kick-off at 9.45pm SA time).

Group APSG vs Shakhtar Donetsk

There is nothing riding on this game for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), who have already qualified for the last 16 and are certain to finish second in Group A behind Real Madrid.

However, Shakhtar need to match or better Malmö’s result in Madrid if they are to take third place and the consolation of a berth in the Europa League last 32.

Real Madrid vs Malmö

Real Madrid have already sealed qualification for the last 16 as group winners, but Rafa Benitez’s team need a convincing performance to appease fans left disgruntled by the recent 4-0 mauling at the hands of Barcelona and the club’s disqualification from the Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player.

Marcelo is close to full fitness again for the 10-time European champions. Malmö, meanwhile, need to better Shakhtar’s result in the other game if they are to snatch third spot and a Europa League berth.

With the Swedish domestic season now finished, Åge Hareide’s side have played only once in the last month, when they went down 5-0 at home to PSG.

Group B

Wolfsburg vs Manchester United

This is a huge match, with all still to play for in Group B. Wolfsburg are top of the section, so need only a draw to go through, while a win will guarantee them top spot. United, in contrast, have to win to be sure of qualifying. Anything less and they will be relying on PSV Eindhoven slipping up in their game.

Failing to reach the last 16 is unthinkable for United, who continue to receive criticism for their style of football under Louis van Gaal — five of their past nine matches have finished goal-less.

"We have not made it easy for ourselves, but we know that victory in Germany will not only guarantee qualification, but also ensure we finish top of our group," Van Gaal said.

Wolfsburg, who slipped to fifth in the Bundesliga after a 2-1 home loss to Borussia Dortmund at the weekend, are bidding to reach the knockout rounds for the first time.

PSV Eindhoven vs CSKA Moscow

Dutch champions PSV come into their final game in third spot, but with the two sides above them meeting one another, Phillip Cocu’s side know a win against CSKA will take them through.

A draw would also be good enough if Manchester United were to lose in Germany. And yet a CSKA win would see the Russians, who cannot reach the last 16, move above PSV and snatch the Europa League berth that comes with finishing third.

PSV are four points behind Dutch league leaders Ajax after a late Jorrit Hendrix goal gave them a 1-0 win at Vitesse Arnhem on Saturday.

Group C

Galatasaray vs Astana

Neither club can reach the last 16, but third place and a Europa League spot will be decided in Istanbul. Galatasaray, who drew 2-2 in Kazakhstan when they met in September, need only draw again, while Astana must record a first win in the Champions League proper if they are to prolong their European adventure into next year.

Benfica vs Atlético Madrid

These two clubs are already through, but the important prize of first place in Group C is still up for grabs when Benfica welcome Atlético to Lisbon.

Having won 2-1 in Madrid in September, the Portuguese champions need only draw, while Atletico require any win that is not 1-0. Diego Simeone’s side return to the Estádio da Luz, where they lost to Real Madrid in last year’s final, on a run of 12 games unbeaten since they last met Benfica.

Group D

Man City vs Mönchengladbach

Manchester City are already through from Group D, but must beat Borussia Mönchengladbach and hope leaders Juventus lose in Spain if they are to finish on top of the section.

Such a combination of results seems unlikely, given the recent form of these sides. City lost 2-0 at Stoke City at the weekend, their third defeat in their last five matches coming at a time when manager Manuel Pellegrini is having to deal with a long list of injuries.

Centre-back and captain Vincent Kompany, midfielder Yaya Touré and attacking figurehead Sergio Agüero are all expected to miss the game.

"We are supposing that if we finish second, we will have a bad draw, but maybe this year we can have a bad draw if we finish top of the group. There are a lot of things in the future we are not thinking about," reasoned Pellegrini.

Gladbach have been in sensational form under André Schubert and beat Bayern Munich 3-1 on Saturday.

They will go into the Europa League if they match or better Sevilla’s result against Juventus.

Sevilla vs Juventus

Juve are already through to the last 16 and a draw in Spain will ensure last season’s beaten finalists go through as group winners.

Sevilla, meanwhile, are out but can still finish third if they win and Borussia Mönchengladbach do not win at Manchester City. That will allow Unai Emery’s team to go into the Europa League and try to win that competition for the third year running.

Juve will be better rested after beating Lazio 2-0 on Friday to go seven games unbeaten. Sevilla are having an inconsistent campaign and a 1-1 draw at Deportivo on Saturday left them firmly in mid-table in La Liga.