UCL Matchday 7: What to look out for on Wednesday

We are edging ever closer to the conclusion of the inaugural league phase of the Uefa Champions League and there is plenty to play for on Matchday 7. Catch all the action live on SuperSport.

We look at the key talking points and things to look out for in the latest round of matches taking place on Wednesday. All matches kick off at 10pm CAT, unless stated otherwise.

Leipzig v Sporting CP (7:45pm CAT)

Point-less Leipzig have only pride left to play for after their elimination was confirmed with defeat to Aston Villa on Matchday 6. "We left everything on the pitch in every single game," midfielder Christoph Baumgartner told Uefa.com. "They've been tough, intense weeks. We have to be honest, we just didn't have enough." Marco Rose's side will hope to at least give their home fans something to smile about on Wednesday.

In contrast, Sporting CP are still well in the hunt for a place in the knockout phase after amassing ten points, although they have lost their last two matches in the tournament to Arsenal and Club Brugge. New coach Rui Borges will hope to make an immediate impact in Europe, and a victory in Germany would leave them in a great position ahead of a final league phase game at home against Bologna.

Did you know? Sporting CP have scored in each of their last 17 Uefa competition matches.

Shakhtar v Brest (7:45 CAT)

With four points from six matches, Shakhtar have much to do in order to keep their hopes of qualification alive. Striker Lassina Traoré is still confident his side have what it takes to pull that off, telling Uefa.com: "We still have a chance, it's football. We have to keep calm, keep going and try to take our chances."

High-flying Brest are one of the stories of the league phase so far, with the debutants winning four of their six games, most recently on Matchday 6 where a heroic performance from goalkeeper Marco Bizot inspired a 1-0 victory over PSV. Coach Éric Roy described that triumph as "our best result yet", but three points against Shakhtar could surpass it and secure Brest participation in European knockout football for the first time.

Did you know? Only one of Shakhtar's last 28 Uefa competition matches has finished in a goalless draw.

Real Madrid v Salzburg

The pressure was truly on for holders Madrid when they faced a tricky-looking trip to Atalanta on Matchday 6 on the back of consecutive defeats to Milan and Liverpool. But as they have done so many times in this tournament, Los Blancos rose up to the challenge to secure an impressive 3-2 win and get their campaign back on track. "It's still difficult to finish in the top eight, but we have two games left to earn points," said coach Carlo Ancelotti. You certainly wouldn't rule it out.

Salzburg have endured a challenging campaign so far, with one win and five defeats leaving them in danger of elimination ahead of a difficult final two matches against Real and cross-city rivals Atleti. Goalkeeper Alexander Schlager is remaining positive, however: "We have to take a lot from the games we've had so far in the Champions League, learn a lot and enjoy the last two games in January."

Did you know? Madrid's Jude Bellingham became the youngest player to make 40 Champions League appearances on Matchday 6 at the age of 21 years 164 days, beating ex-Los Blancos goalkeeper Iker Casillas (21 years 275 days).

Paris v Man City

A repeat of the 2020/21 semifinal and 2015/16 quarterfinal, both these sides were expected to be flying high near the top of the table but have instead experienced numerous challenges in the league phase. Paris have recorded just two victories from six, while City are winless in their last three matches in the tournament, making Wednesday's high-profile encounter an extremely important meeting.

"We don't have the number of points we should have," insisted Paris coach Luis Enrique. "We have to go game by game, and now we have City." City manager Pep Guardiola, who can call on former Ligue 1 stars Bernardo Silva and Jérémy Doku, added: "It's a bad time for us, we're struggling, but our way of playing will save us, it will bring us victories." It's not a knockout phase tie, but this intriguing encounter feels almost just as important for both these teams.

Did you know? City have lost just one of the seven games between these sides in Uefa competition (W4 D2).

Sparta Praha v Inter Milan

Despite a positive start to their league phase campaign with a 3-0 win over Salzburg, Sparta have now lost their last four matches in the tournament, conceding 17 goals in the process. "I am happy to see how we bounced back, but it was not good enough," said coach Lars Friis following the 4-2 defeat to Feyenoord. "We need to get something out of the next games." Victory over Inter would certainly provide a boost going into a Matchday 8 trip to Leverkusen.

It was the German champions who inflicted Inter's first defeat of the league phase with a 1-0 win on Matchday 6, a result which also saw the Nerazzurri concede their first goal of the tournament.

Nevertheless, Simone Inzaghi's side still have a strong chance of finishing in the top eight and qualifying for knockout Champions League football for a fourth successive season. "We lost to a very strong team who made it very difficult for us," admitted goalkeeper Yann Sommer after that Leverkusen loss. "But we still have everything in our hands in this competition."

Did you know? Inter's defeat to Leverkusen was their first group stage/league phase loss in their previous 11 games (W7 D4).

Arsenal v GNK Dinamo

A solid campaign thus far from Arsenal has seen the Gunners collect 13 points from a possible 18, while Mikel Arteta's side have conceded just two goals. Youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly, who created an assist in the 3-0 win against Monaco on Matchday 6, could be given another opportunity to shine against GNK Dinamo. "He is one of our own and a joy to watch," Arteta said of the 18-year-old. "It's great we can trust him to play in this environment."

Dinamo's qualification hopes are still very much alive following a battling 0-0 draw with Celtic on Matchday 6, although they won't have it easy with the trip to London followed by a home game against Milan. "In the Champions League, we have two important games ahead of us," said new coach Fabio Cannavaro.

"I will demand sacrifice from the players from now until the end of the season. A footballer's career is short and must be used to the maximum. The level of motivation will be top notch against Arsenal."

Did you know? Arsenal have lost only one of their last 26 Uefa club competition group stage/league phase matches at home (W22 D3).

Celtic v Young Boys

"In the Champions League, if you get a clean sheet and take a point away from home and you're not very happy, that shows how the team has progressed." That was Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers' honest assessment on the draw with GNK Dinamo which left his team on nine points and in 21st place going into the final two matchdays.

It has been 12 years since the Hoops have progressed to the knockout stage of Europe's elite competition, but they now have a golden opportunity to move to the brink of qualification.

Young Boys are rooted to the bottom of the table following a challenging campaign in which they have lost every game thus far, including three away matches which have seen them ship 12 goals. New coach Giorgio Contini is keen to draw a line under those previous showings as he prepares for his first Champions League game at the YB helm.

"The team gave me a good reception," he said. "I shared my values with the players and explained the ambitions with which we want to start working together."

Did you know? Young Boys have lost their last seven matches in the Champions League proper, their longest sequence of successive defeats in the competition.

Feyenoord v Bayern Munich

Feyenoord have been the great entertainers in this season's Champions League, with three of their games producing four goals, one five goals and two six. Brian Priske's team were at their free-flowing attacking best on Matchday 6, with four different scorers contributing in a 4-2 win over Sparta Praha.

Priske has demanded defensive improvements, however, saying: "Focus is the one reason they came back. It is important to defend better in some moments. Big praise to this group, but we are not there yet."

Bayern are another side who have not found goals difficult to come by, and they scored five in a big victory over Shakhtar on Matchday 6, Michael Olise particularly impressing with a double.

"I think when you're in a system that suits your style of play and that everyone's happy with and enjoying playing in, then it's simple to just come in, enjoy your football and not think about anything else," said the French midfielder. Expect plenty of entertainment at De Kuip.

Did you know? Feyenoord scored four goals in a match in the Champions League proper for the first time against Sparta.

Milan v Girona

It was looking like an uphill battle for Milan after they lost their first two league phase games, but the Rossoneri have bounced back mightily impressively with four straight wins against Club Brugge, Real Madrid, Slovan Bratislava and, most recently, Crvena Zvezda.

"I believe in the possibility of making it into the top eight," striker Tammy Abraham confidently told Uefa.com. "We are an incredible group; everyone knows it and we have to prove it. We must attack and defend as a team."

For debutants Girona, meanwhile, their narrow defeat to Liverpool on Matchday 6 was their fifth in their six games in the tournament, and they will now require something special if they are to play knockout European football for the first time.

"This is an apprenticeship," midfielder Miguel Gutíerrez admitted. "We're playing all over Europe, and that gives you huge experience. But listen, we aren't out yet, this isn't finished. Until we can't mathematically qualify we'll fight."

Did you know? Milan have won four successive group stage/league phase matches in the same edition of the Champions League for the first time since the 2002/03 season – a tournament they went on to win.

All kick-off times 9pm CET unless stated.

When are the Uefa Champions League league phase matches being played?

Matchday 7: 21/22 January 2025

Matchday 8: 29 January 2025

FURTHER AHEAD

Liverpool coach Arne Slot will return to the Netherlands with the ex-Feyenoord manager facing former title rivals PSV in Eindhoven on Matchday 8.

British sides Aston Villa and Celtic face off for the first time to conclude their league phase campaigns.

After already playing Real Madrid twice this season, Europa League holders Atalanta take on Los Blancos' LaLiga rivals Barcelona.

© UEFA