After an outstanding group phase, Arsenal qualified last night for a spot in the last 16 round. They did it after beating Inter 3-1 in Milan. They have won their 7 matches played, only conceding 2 goals and scoring 20. Impressive numbers.
Also last night, Real Madrid beat 6-0 Monaco, which helped to ease some of the critics that the team were receiving. They have had a rough start of the year with losing Spanish Supercup against Barça, firing their headcoach, Xabi Alonso, and losing against a second division team in the Spanish King's Cup.
Tottenham and Sporting Lisbon, that beat reigning champions PSG, added 3 points and remain in the top 8 of the table waiting for tonight's matches.
Man City lost against Bodo/Glimt 3-1 in Norway, which will make their last match against Galatasaray an important one to qualify for the spot at the last 16 round, avoiding the knock out play offs in February.
Tonight, Bayern Munich could join Arsenal in the selected group of teams that will qualify straight for the last 16 round. They will receive at home the Belgians of Union Saint-Gilloise. Also Liverpool have some options to qualify this week in their visit to Marseille. Italian side, Atalanta, could also go through against Athletic Bilbao.
Enjoy the Beautiful Game!
Are they the first to qualify?
They are the first to secure a spot in the last 16 round in march. The teams completing the group phase between 9th and 24th, will need to play a knockout play off in February, before the last 16 round.