Premier League leaders Arsenal and Italy’s Roma can not afford mistakes as they chase two of four remaining berths for the knockout stages of the European Champions League on Wednesday.
Arsenal host bottom club Partizan Belgrade at the Emirates in Group H where they are up against Shakhtar Donetsk and Braga in a three-team fight for two places to continue in the elite event.
In group E, Roma visit last-placed Romanian champions Cluj and could even afford defeat if Swiss club Basel doesn’t upset Bayern Munich in Germany in the other game.
The only other open spot is between Copenhagen and Rubin Kazan in group D on Tuesday.
Tottenham Hotspur, holders Inter Milan, Olympique Lyon, Schalke, Manchester United, Valencia, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Olympique Marseille, Real Madrid and AC Milan are already assured of their place in the last 16.
The two top teams from each of the eight groups continue in the knockout stages, the third-placed teams go into the Europa League and the bottom clubs are eliminated from Europe. Arsenal won the first three games, including a 6-0 against Braga and 5-1 over Donetsk, but made life difficult for themselves by losing to both teams on the road.
Shakhtar top the group with 12 points from Arsenal and Braga, who are on nine each. Partizan are out with zero points. Arsenal are definitely through with victory and or with the same amount of points than Braga get.
“Maybe we felt we had done the biggest part of the job, but we have to remember that the Champions League is never done until it is done,” said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
“That was perhaps the reason for the performance in Donetsk anyway, but in Braga I thought it was more about a few decisions that were very hard to take.” Arsenal will be without injured midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who admitted complacency has cost Arsenal in the group. “If we don’t win this group, it is because of us,” he said.
“It was up to us in the last couple of games and we didn’t do it, so now we have to beat Partizan in the last game and pray that Braga get something against Shakhtar.” Arsenal could still top the group for what would give them an easier draw, but that would require a victory of their own and Braga winning in Donetsk as well.
Roma, meanwhile, are well-positioned to clinch second place in Group E. Munich (12 points) have won the group, Roma are second on nine, Basel have six and Cluj are out with three. Roma need a point, but would go out on the head-to-head record against Basel if they lose and the Swiss win.
Coach Claudio Ranieri rested captain Francesco Totti while French midfielder Jeremy Menez and striker Marco Borriello only played briefly in a 2-2 league draw at Chievo where Brazil’s Adriano got a rare place as a starter.
In group D, Barcelona have clinched first place with 11 points ahead of Copenhagen (seven), Kazan (six) and Panathinaikos, who are out with two points.
Copenhagen are in the driving seat as they host the Greeks. The Russian champions Kazan play in Barcelona, but claimed a stunning 2-1 victory at the Nou Camp there last year and are yet to lose against the Spanish giants in three European matches.
Barca coach Pep Guardiola will field several reserves such as Andreu Fontas, Thiago, Bojan and Jeffren, with Xavi and possibly captain Carles Puyol, Lionel Messi and David Villa resting.
