FLASH
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Officially, the first phase of the new Champions League format is over and we will now move on to the knockout round. However, before that, the other qualifiers for the 1/8 finals, who will go through the preliminary play-offs, must be determined.
After the last round of exciting matches with the same schedule, where 18 matches were played simultaneously, with many issues to be decided, it's time to take some stock. Who were the stars of this first segment of the competition? And the losers? Let's find out.
Hansi Flik and Rafinha, the leaders of the 'new Barça' in Europe
If Liverpool have given us a brilliant first phase, Barça have not been left behind. Two of their protagonists stand out above the rest, Hansi Flick and Rafinha, with an honorable mention for Robert Lewandowski, the top scorer of the current edition, with 9 goals.
The German coach has begun to heal the European trauma that has burdened Barça so much in recent years, playing the Europa League in two consecutive seasons, 2021-22 and 2022-23, with very unpleasant endings.
With Flik on the bench, Barça has improved its game, it is more dynamic and sharper. In fact, the most important thing is that it has recovered its authority in Europe. The players have a different attitude in European competitions, they are more confident and truly competitive. This can be explained by the work of the German.
Barça finished the league stage in second place with 7 wins, one draw and one loss. The only defeat dates back to their debut against Monaco, a minimal defeat and accompanied by the early expulsion of Erik García. Likewise, Barcelona is the team that has scored the most goals in this stage of the Champions League (28 goals).
Undoubtedly, the big surprise has been Rafinha. It seems that he would leave the Catalan club in the summer, but he has become one of the leaders of this team. 8 goals and 4 assists in 8 matches are his balance in the Champions League. A footballer who, with Flik, has become one of the best in the world in his position.
The Slot Machine is (almost) unbeatable.
The job has not been easy for Arne Slot, who arrived at Anfield Road with the mission of replacing a Liverpool legend like Jurgen Klopp. However, he has immediately succeeded. Leader in the Premier League and first in the Champions League group stage. Only the defeat in the last round against PSV Eindhoven (with a team full of reserves) has "tainted" an almost perfect group stage: 8 matches, 7 wins and one loss.
Lilac, the pride of France
Nobody would have believed it before the start of this new Champions League, but PSG has not been the best French team in the group stage. This has been Lille, which, with seventh place, has passed directly to the 1/8 finals, while Monaco, Brest and PSG will try to qualify through the “play-offs”. The group stage of the team led by Bruno Genesio has been simply spectacular.
Inzaghi's insurmountable "wall"
Inter's project is serious. Since the final they lost to City in Turkey, in the 2022-2023 season, the blue and white team believes that they can win the Champions League for the fourth time in history. With each passing year, Simone Inzaghi has a better team, which stands out for its consistency. Of the 8 group matches, the blue and white have not conceded a goal in 7 of them, which proves that they are an insurmountable "wall".
Julian Alvarez couldn't be stopped from scoring goals
Atlético Madrid's group stage was good (they qualified directly for the round of 16, finishing in fifth place), but Julian Alvarez's was even better. Last summer's stunning signing for Atlético Madrid has brought out the best in him in a Champions League that started badly. He is now establishing himself as a key player for a team that is finally working.
The big losers of the group stage
Manchester City, just one step away from disaster. Pep Guardiola's team were struggling to avoid a defeat against Club Brugge, who made it very difficult for them at the Etihad. Eventually, City won a match that they started with a loss and went through to the play-offs to secure a ticket to the 1/8 finals. However, the group stage, where they finished in 22nd place, was one to forget.
PSG, a drama that starts at the gate. Luis Enrique's team escaped the complete drama of elimination by defeating Stuttgart in Germany (1-4), but remaining far from the "top 8" (ranked 16th) is unacceptable for a team with its economic potential. In another edition of the Champions League, PSG shows that its problem starts at the gate.
Ancelotti and Real Madrid, crossed. Finishing the first phase of the Champions League in 11th place is a failure for a team that consistently boasts 15 Champions. Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid played with fire during the group stage, ending with 3 losses and needing a "play-off" to qualify for the 1/8 finals.
Bayern Munich, a big failure. That Bayern did not make it into the "top 8" is another big failure. Vincent Kompany's star-studded team has dropped several levels of competition in Europe and has only had the opportunity to face weaker teams.
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