The group stage has come to an in depth and after many twists and turns the pool of 16 groups are set for the knockout stage draw which is able to happen on Monday. However earlier than that, this can be a good time to have a look at a few of the groups which have certified and numbers to control the rest of the match. From historic defenses to federations flexing their power within the group stage, listed below are the numbers that would outline the knockout stage.
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Manchester Metropolis’s xG double that of different groups
Whereas in a means this goes with out saying, Manchester Metropolis had the very best performances within the group stage of any group. They might not have had the strongest group however as Barcelona dropping to Royal Antwerp exhibits, group power does not matter when a group is not targeted. After successful Champions League final season, Metropolis now had virtually double the anticipated aim distinction in comparison with the opposite groups within the match. With a distinction of 14.18, Metropolis had the highest xG at 17.25 (which they carried out on par to scoring 18 objectives) and their anticipated objectives towards variety of 3.07. Whereas Metropolis did enable simply seven objectives which was the eighth finest quantity within the group stage, a few of these objectives got here from acute angles that would not be anticipated to be repeated within the knockout phases. If Erling Haaland can get again to prime type, there is not any purpose why Manchester Metropolis cannot win again to again
La Liga wins 4 teams
For the primary time for the reason that 2006-7 season when Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool all received their teams, 4 groups from the identical nation received their teams because the Spanish groups emerged triumphantly. Barcelona, Actual Madrid, Actual Sociedad and Atletico Madrid all received their teams whereas Sevilla could not make it 5 for 5, lacking out utterly on European soccer by ending backside of their group. This might not be good historical past to be a part of as Milan received that 2007 Champions League remaining as the one non-English semifinalist with all of the English groups failing to ship when it mattered most. That is a mantle that Manchester Metropolis or Bayern Munich would like to take up if the draw permits them the possibility.
Barca stink towards protection that conceded 17 objectives
Solely dropping two video games within the group stage, Xavi’s males had been fortunate to win the group because of their head-to-head benefit over Porto. Barcelona have the worst loss in Champions League to their identify as Royal Antwerp had been on a path to be one of many poorest groups ever to compete within the group stage, conceding 17 objectives whereas successful one sport and dropping 5. However with a rotated facet, Barcelona could not emerge with a victory in Belgium, ending with 10 males as Sergi Roberto was despatched off. Barcelona additionally dropped an away sport to Shakhtar Donetsk in Germany and this can be a pattern that could possibly be a trigger for concern within the spherical of 16 the place Barcelona should play a match on the street. Not being a facet that scores a ton of objectives at house, if Barcelona lose their away leg it may spell a swift exit from the match.
Galeno has 4 objectives, however can he rating on others?
If not for dropping two matches to Barcelona, Porto would’ve received the group however they will be very happy to guide their place within the spherical of 16. The place issues get attention-grabbing with their assault is when it comes all the way down to their wingers. Brazilian winger Galeno scored 4 objectives within the group stage however all 4 had been scored towards Ukrainian facet Shakhtar Donetsk. With just one league aim to his identify, Galeno wants to visualise different groups that he faces as in the event that they’re Shakhtar and if he does, Porto could find yourself occurring fairly a run within the match because the expertise is there.
Actual Madrid’s protection xG is regarding
With an xG that is second to solely Manchester Metropolis at 15.16, Actual Madrid can rating with anybody on the earth. The problem is that in addition they allowed an xGA of seven.72 because the protection is their very own worst enemy. In opposition to Union Berlin it confirmed as a foul clearance from David Alaba led to Actual conceding a aim however because the assaults that they face get higher within the knockout phases, the margin of error will turn out to be thinner. Actual Madrid can be thought of to be one of many contenders for a Champions League title so long as they’re within the match however these defensive points could possibly be their undoing if issues do not change quickly.
