Headline fixture of Matchday 6 – Barcelona vs Juventus
The standout fixture for the sixth and final round of the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League group stage is undoubtedly Barcelona vs Juventus. Two of Europe's biggest clubs will lock horns in this encounter, with fans eagerly anticipating a showdown between two of the greatest players of all time: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The pair have not faced off since 2018, hence the excitement. The Blaugrana's trip to Turin a few months earlier was supposed to be the first of two showdowns but the Portuguese ace was forced to sit out that tie after testing positive for COVID-19. The Bianconeri subsequently went on to lose that game 2-0.
The Argentine icon has missed out on Barcelona's last two UCL games, with Koeman opting to rest the six-time Ballon d'Or winner unlike previous managers. However, he should make the lineup for this fixture ahead of a juicy encounter with his long-time nemesis.
The Catalan giants, unfortunately, head into this tie on the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Cadiz in La Liga, their fourth loss of the season – they have won only four league games so far. In Europe, however, Barcelona boast a perfect record. Will Juventus bring that run to an end? Top spot is up for the taking!
Key talking points
Group H and the nail-biting permutations involving PSG, Man United, and RB Leipzig
Group H is probably the most exciting heading into the final round. This is because PSG, Man United, and RB Leipzig are all tied on nine points and are competing to make the last 16. The Ligue 1 giants are the leaders and will be facing İstanbul Başakşehir, needing only to avoid defeat in order to progress. In fact, Les Parisiens can still progress should they suffer a surprise loss should the other match not end in a draw, with a win securing them the no.1 spot.
As for the Red Devils, things are different. They too will go through with a win or a draw but will unfortunately be away to the German side. The Bundesliga heavyweights will earn a spot in the las 18 by beating Solskjaer's men and will give it their all to make this happen. A draw could suffice for Nagelsmann's side should PSG suffer a defeat but that is an unrealistic expectation.
Will Real Madrid crash out in the UCL group stage for the first time in history?
This is a worrisome possibility as Real Madrid are level on points with second-placed Shakhtar but are third in the standings due to an inferior head-to-head record vs the Ukrainians. Los Blancos' final group stage game is against Borussia M'gladbach, who are the leaders, meaning this will be no easy test. Victory over the Bundesliga side will secure progression for Zidane's men. Even a draw could suffice in Shakhtar lose to Inter Milan but that is too risky to rely upon. The fact that Real Madrid can finish anywhere from first to last makes the final Matchday all the more interesting.
Team news
Here are the key players who are definitely missing due to injury, suspension, or could be in doubt due to fitness or other issues and thus could miss out on upcoming matches for their respective sides heading into matchday 6:
Chelsea: Ziyech (hamstring)
Liverpool: Van Dijk (knee), Gomez (knee), Thiago (knee), Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee), Alisson (hamstring), Milner (hamstring); Shaqiri (doubtful – muscular)
Barcelona: Piqué (knee), Roberto (hamstring), Fati (knee), Dembélé (hamstring)
Juventus: Demiral (thigh), Chiellini (thigh); Buffon (doubtful – thigh)
Man Utd: Fred (suspended), Martial (muscular), Cavani (muscular)
PSG: Bernat (knee), Icardi (adductor), Sarabia (hamstring); Draxler (doubtful – thigh)
Atletico: Costa (blood clot), Carrasco (knee), M Sánchez (thigh), Vrsaljko (knee); Lodi (doubt – back)
Bayern: Hernández (muscular), Martínez (muscular), Kimmich (knee), Davies (ankle), Tolisso (muscular); Boateng (doubtful – muscular)
Inter: Nainggolan (doubt – calf), Pinamonti (doubt – ankle)
Real Madrid: Valverde (leg), Hazard (groin); Carvajal (doubt – adductor), Mariano (doubt – unspecified)
Man City: Aguero (doubt – knee)
Matchday 6 listings
Below are the fixtures set to take place on matchday 6:
