UEFA Champions League Matchday 5 Preview

The 2023/24 Uefa Champions League group stage is reaching the sharp end…here is a preview of the matches for tonight, Tuesday 28 November.

Lazio v Celtic (18:45)

After leapfrogging Feyenoord into second place in Group E on Matchday 4, Lazio will book their place in the knockout stages if they beat Celtic and the Eredivisie side fail to overcome leaders Atlético. Coach Maurizio Sarri has warned his players against complacency, however, saying: “Unfortunately, [the Feyenoord victory] was not a decisive win. Only on the last matchday will we have the outcome.” Celtic’s hopes of progression are hanging by a thread after a 6-0 defeat to Diego Simeone’s men, but coach Brendan Rodgers will take heart from his team’s initial response to falling a goal behind. “You have to take the game in isolation,” he said. “The players gave everything.”

Did you know?

Since 2016/17, only Robert Lewandowski, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Harry Kane have scored more goals for a single team in Europe’s top five leagues than Lazio’s Ciro Immobile.

Shakhtar Donetsk v Antwerp (18:45)

A third victory in 11 meetings with Barcelona breathed new life into Shakhtar’s Group H campaign, but they can ill-afford any slip-ups against bottom-placed Antwerp. “We do things step by step and stay humble,” said coach Marino Pušić, refusing to get carried away by the 1-0 win against the five-time winners. Antwerp remain without a point after losing at Porto on Matchday 4 but boss Mark van Bommel feels his side are starting to look more at home in the competition. “The two best chances of the match were ours,” said the former Netherlands international. “I’m especially happy with how the boys performed. I’m proud of the guys.”

Did you know?

Shakhtar’s 1-0 triumph on Matchday 4 was their first home win against Barcelona since December 2004.

Highlights: Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 Barcelona

Highlights: Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 Barcelona

Feyenoord v Atlético de Madrid (21:00)

Defeat on Matchday 5 could spell the end of Feyenoord’s last-16 hopes, but defender Dávid Hancko remains optimistic about his side’s chances of progression. “It’s still in our hands,” he said. “If we win both games [against Atlético and Celtic], we go through.” Atlético remain in pole position after cruising to a 6-0 win over Celtic, and forward Antoine Griezmann is determined not to relinquish top spot: “The most important thing is to qualify, of course, but we want to do that in first place. We have a tough game coming up in the Netherlands, so we have to keep showing what we can do.”

Did you know?

Atlético are the only team in Europe’s top five leagues with two different players on ten or more goals this season – Griezmann (11) and Álvaro Morata (12).

Paris v Newcastle (21:00)

The Ligue 1 champions have a score to settle with the Magpies after going down 4-1 at St. James’ Park last month. Another defeat against Eddie Howe’s side at Parc des Princes would leave Luis Enrique’s men facing an uphill battle to qualify from Group F. “All four teams hold their fate in their hands,” said the 53-year-old after watching his team lose 2-1 at Milan. “They are still two matches to go and we can still progress.” The same goes for Newcastle, who remain just three points behind leaders Dortmund despite their 2-0 defeat in Germany last time out. “We’re probably going to have to win our last two games,” admitted Howe. “We accept [the situation] and have to look to the future now.”

Did you know?

Paris have lost two of their last three Champions League group games, as many losses as in their previous 18 group encounters in the competition.

Milan v Dortmund (21:00)

With only two points separating third-placed Milan and Group F leaders Dortmund, the Rossoneri know victory at San Siro would leave them well-placed to book a last-16 berth for the second successive campaign. “We’re back in the mix for the group now,” Ruben Loftus-Cheek told Uefa.com after helping his side beat Paris on Matchday 4. “We have a really talented team. I think we can go far [in the competition].” Standing in Milan’s way are a Dortmund side who reached the summit thanks to back-to-back victories over Newcastle. “We’ve beaten an absolutely top outfit for the second time, and convincingly too,” forward Karim Adeyemi said after a 2-0 triumph on Matchday 4. “Nothing’s been decided yet, but we’re in a very good position.”

Did you know?

For the first time in their history, Dortmund have gone four consecutive Champions League home matches without conceding a goal.

Man City v Leipzig (21:00)

City qualified by making it four wins from four when they beat Young Boys 3-0 last time out and a point here will be enough for them to seal top spot in the section. However, midfielder Matheus Nunes is keen for them to keep their foot on the gas, saying: “We cannot look at those two games as spare because we want to get through in first place. We want to win both of them.” Leipzig are also through but, following the win at Crvena zvezda, midfielder Emil Forsberg was quick to point out where they must improve if they are to compete with Pep Guardiola’s men. “We should have scored more goals,” he said. “In the second half, we weren’t calm enough and were too sloppy in creating our own game. We need to be calmer in the attacking third.”

Did you know?

On Matchday 4, City extended their unbeaten run in Europe to 18 matches – a new record for an English side.

Young Boys v Crvena zvezda (21:00)

The winners of this game will be assured of third place and a spot in the Uefa Europa League knockout round play-offs and both are still searching for their first victory in the section. Defender Loris Benito felt YB deserved better in defeat at Manchester City and can take heart ahead of this game: “We actually moved the ball well,” he said. “I would’ve liked for us to be a bit more convincing with the ball. We had good movement and were able to get good balls up top.” Meanwhile, Crvena zvezda defender Aleksandar Dragović pulled no punches after their defeat by Leipzig, warning: “If we play like we did today, we will lose [at Young Boys] too. We need to step up, not just talk.”

Did you know?

The only point both these teams have earned in the group came against each other on Matchday 2.

Barcelona v Porto (21:00)

Situations can change quickly in the Champions League. Barcelona seemed to be easing towards the last 16 after winning their first three games but they are now only three points ahead of third-placed Shakhtar after defeat against them on Matchday 3. Xavi Hernández is demanding a marked improvement. “We need to get back to our best,” said the Barcelona coach. “We aren’t pressing well enough, we aren’t concentrating well enough. The players need to step up.” João Mário realises that Porto, now level on points with the Blaugrana, are in a three-way qualification scrap. “We are only focused on what we can control: our matches and winning those,” he said. “Even if our rivals are Barcelona, we want to finish first.”

Courtesy of Supersport