Group A
It was a complicated group no doubt but the big boys walked right into the group of 16 of the 2021/2022 UEFA Champions League. Manchester City tops the group as PSG finished 2nd. RB Leipzig made it to the Europa League. Club Brugge heads home and hopes to return next season.
Group B
This particular group make my best group for this season UEFA Champions League group stage because we had to wait till the last to decide who joins Liverpool to the round of 16. Luckily, the last day of the match turns out to be Diego Simeon's side of Atletico Madrid as they qualify at the expense of FC Porto and AC Milan.
Group C
Another interesting group but I never this coming as Borussia Dortmund will not be playing in the round of 16. Ajax as we all expected tops the table but Sporting Lisbon made it to the next on-goal difference. The same point but left 2nd runner up in the Europa League. Besiktas came to catch cruise as they played 6 matches without a point to show for.
Group D
Lively group and I saw this one coming as the big guns walk majestically to the round of 16 without leaving any stone untouched. Real Madrid and Inter Milan are in the round of 16 as Sheriff are in the Europa League.
Group E
Apart from Liverpool playing an unbeaten run in the group stage, Bayern Munich also kept a perfect record this season as they never drew or lose in the group stage and ended up scoring 19 goals in the process and sending Fc Barcelona to the Europa League. Benfica qualified ahead of Barcelona is not a surprise to me but I never thought I could see Barcelona in the Europa League after so many years of dominance in the Europe biggest stage.
Group F
Manchester United leads and tops the group but the next club to join them is still wide open as Atalanta locks horns with Villarreal to battle for the 2nd spot. Their fate is their hands and draw will favor Villarreal most. The tight group though but we all know that 2 clubs will qualify and I will head to the Europe League and the rock bottom will head home.
Group G
This group is kinda funny because Sevilla is in the Europa League while Lille tops the group because I never saw that coming. Salzburg took me by surprise but that is football for you. The best always make it to the next round and the 2 clubs played their cards well.
Group H
The last 2 were paired in the same group 7 years ago where Chelsea was knocked out and went ahead to win the Europa League that season and that was the 2012/2013 season. They have paired again this season as both clubs qualified. The Old Ladies tops the group and Chelsea follows suit to the round of 16 of this UEFA Champions League. Zenith moves to the Europa League and Malmo heads home.
The group stage matches have been played, clubs that have emerged to the round of 16 have been decided. It is called the UEFA Champions League because is a stage the best clubs in Europe come toe to toe with the big guns and only the best match forward. Bad news for Barcelona as they were dumped out of the competition in the group stage despite Xavi coming on board as the new manager.