UEFA Champions League : Manchester United look to qualify for last 16

Manchester-United

 

Manchester United  will  have their  task cut out  in their Champions League encounter against Wolfsburg as Louis Van Gaal’s  side will need  at least a draw  to keep  their  hopes  alive  about qualifying  for the last 16 .

 Manchester United vs Wolfsburg:-With  injuries to key footballers , Reds find themselves in a tricky situation as any one from this group can qualify . With CSK Moscow on 4 pts ,PSV Eindhoven on 7 pts, Wolfsburg on 9 pts and Reds with 8 pts , a draw with Wolfsburg will see Van Gaal’s team ending with 9 points . If PSV Eindhoven wins against CSK Moscow , it will be a must win situation for United .  Louis Van Gaal men would be looking for some redemption. They will be without their captain Wayne Ronney and Midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin. Having drawn three out of their last five games they have been struggling to score goals. United’s form continues to be mediocre. Their last win came against Watford in the Premier League. Van Gaal will have to rely heavily on the experienced Juan Mata and  Ashley Young. Young who was a revelation in last season for United has been on the bench for most of the games. He was the architect of United’s 2-1 comeback win over Wolfsburg in the first leg. But with many key  players injured LVG has no other options but to rely on him for goals. Memphis Depay who failed to justify his price tag could be on the starting line up. Goalkeeper David de Gea is having the form of his life and has to be at his best to deny William Draxler and former Chelsea player Andre Schurrle. United defence has been rock solid through out the season. Wolfgburg might find it difficult to find space.

Real Madrid vs Malmo: Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez  will be resting  Gareth Bale and Luka Modric when his side will be meeting Malmo at the Santiago Bernabeu. Madrid having  already  assured  themselves of a last 16 place  , Benitez have the luxury of  resting  key players for the game . Coming off a 4-1 win against Getafe saw Bale, Ronaldo and Benzema all score in the same game for the first time this  season. Isco is all set to return to the starting line up after missing the last two matches due to  ban but eyes will be on Ronaldo. If rumours are to be believed Ronaldo is planning to leave Madrid at the end of this season. Real won the first leg by 2-0 .

Manchester City vs Borussia Monchengladbach – Manchester City will be hosting Borussia Monchengladbach in the last round of the UEFA Chanpions League group stage at the Etihad Stadium.Monchengladbach come into the game with a 3-1 win over the German champions Bayern Munich . It was also the first loss of the season for Pep Guardiola’s side . Manchester City will be without  their captain Vincent Kompany who is nursing a calf injury and Midfielder Samir Nasri. Argentinian Sergio Aguero is also a doubtful. The match at Etihad is expected to be an evenly contested one . City lost their previous match against Stoke City 2-0 while Monchengladbach won against Bayern Munich. Juventus currently lead the table with 11 points ,  two points clear of City. Coach Manuel Pellegrini would surely want his team to make a turnaround after a shock defeat against stoke. The German side needs at least a draw and a better goal difference to secure a third place in the group.

Atletico Madrid vs Benfica – Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone will be facing Benfica in Estadio da Luz in Lisbon where they lost the Champions League final to arch rivals Real Madrid in 2014.Atletico and Benfica are both on 10 points and jointly topping the group. Both the teams  have already secured their place in the last 16 .  Atletico lost to Benfica at the Vicente Calderon  in the first leg 2-1 .Roji Blancos would want to maintain their unbeaten streak this season so far. With Frenchman Greizmann and Torres combining up well in the front the onus will be on the Benfica defence to restrict them from scoring. Benfica have been excellent in Europe  this season and would look  to Nicolas Gaitan and Jonas to continue their good form. This will definitely be a big test for Benfica and a draw would see them top the group.

Other Champions League matches on Wednesday feature Sevilla taking on Juventus, Paris Saint Germain  meeting  Shakhtar Donetsk, Astana facing  Galatasaray  and  Dutch  giants PSV Eindhoven  meeting CSKA Moscow .