Champions League Matchday 6: Tuesday’s Game-by-game previews

The 2023/24 UEFA Champions' League group stage is coming to an end; get abreast of the final batch of fixtures coming up on Matchday 6. Catch all the action live on SuperSport.

Tuesday 12 December

Lens v Sevilla (18:45)

Defeats on Matchday 5 ensured that neither of these teams can reach the last 16 but a place in the Uefa Europa League is up for grabs, and Sevilla will have to win if they are to deny the French side that berth. "We can see that we're growing with every match, in both the good and bad moments," said Lens coach Franck Haise. "If we can manage to create some more memories for a club that hasn't been in Europe for many years, with many inexperienced players, and an inexperienced club in general at this level, then I hope we can."

Match Facts: Lens are set to host Sevilla for a European game for the first time. They have a 100 per cent win record against Spanish sides on home soil, beating a different team on each occasion: Atlético de Madrid (4-2, March 2000, Uefa Cup), Celta de Vigo (2-1, March 2000, Uefa Cup), Deportivo de La Coruña (3-1, October 2002, Champions League) and Osasuna (3-1, November 2006, Uefa Cup).

PSV Eindhoven v Arsenal (18:45)

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta was pleased the Gunners sealed top spot in the section by beating Lens 6-0 but has challenged his players to build on that success. "I'm very happy," he said. "We had the chance to qualify and win the group. We've done that in a great way. The players deserve a lot of credit. We have done the job that was required of us: to be there in February. Now the team has to keep evolving and being consistent." Not falling into the same trap as last season's Europa League group stage – where they were beaten at PSV after confirming qualification to the last 16 – would surely represent the sort of progress Arteta is looking for.

Match Facts: PSV have won just two of their nine Uefa European games against Arsenal (D3 L4), losing 4-0 earlier this season in the Champions League. Both wins, however, have come in their last two home games: 1-0 in the 2006-07 Champions League and 2-0 in last season’s Europa League.

Arsenal are winless in their last three major European visits to the Netherlands (D1 L2) since a 2-1 win at Ajax in September 2005 in the Uefa Champions League.

Man United v Bayern (21:00)

United must win and hope the other game in this group ends in a draw if they are to find their way into the round of 16 – a tough assignment against the runaway Group A winners. Midfielder Bruno Fernandes insists they can take the final step if they improve on their decision-making from the 3-3 draw at Galatasaray. "We have to keep our heads up and understand it's about finding the right pass to the player who is free, trying to get [the ball] to the one who is in the best position and not taking the chance ourselves. We have to put the team first," he said.

Match Facts: Manchester United have won just two of their 12 Uefa Champions League matches against Bayern Munich (D5 L5), winning the 1999 final and a home knockout match in 2009-10. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich have won just one of their five away Uefa Champions League matches against Man Utd (D3 L1), winning 1-0 in April 2001 with a goal from Paulo Sergio.

Copenhagen v Galatasaray (21:00)

Copenhagen have taken four points from their last two games after following up their victory over Man United with a draw at Bayern, meaning they will be guaranteed a place in the last 16 should they beat Galatasaray. Midfielder Rasmus Falk was already looking forward to this decider after the stalemate in Munich, saying: "It was such an important point for us so we can finish the job at home. Our goal is to continue in the Champions League. The game against Galatasaray will be crazy. We know what we need and we'll give everything to keep our place in the tournament."

Match Facts: FC Copenhagen are hosting Galatasaray for a European match for just a second time, beating the Turkish side 1-0 in November 2013 in a Uefa Champions League group stage game.

Galatasaray are unbeaten in their three home European games against Danish teams (P3 W2 D1) but are winless in both trips there, a 1-0 defeat to FC Copenhagen in 2013 and 1-1 draw with Randers FC in a Europa League qualifier in 2021.

Napoli v Braga (21:00)

Braga winger Álvaro Djaló was optimistic as the Portuguese side kept their qualification hopes alive with a 1-1 draw against Union Berlin, despite playing an hour with only ten men. "Even with just ten players, we managed to work very well collectively and get a point," he said. "Qualification is difficult, Napoli are a complicated opponent, but we will maintain our identity, play eye-to-eye and go to Italy to win in what will be an all-or-nothing match." Napoli, though, only need a draw to guarantee their place in the round of 16.

Match Facts: Napoli and Sporting Braga’s only previous meeting was on MD1 of this season’s Uefa Champions League, with the Italian side winning 2-1 in Braga. Sporting Braga have lost their last six major European matches against Italian teams, with those games coming across the Uefa Cup, Europa League, Conference League and Champions League. Their last win was in February 2007, a 1-0 away win at Parma in the Uefa Cup.

Union Berlin v Real Madrid (21:00)

Real Madrid are assured of top spot after their 4-2 success against Napoli, meaning it's all about Union as they complete their maiden Champions League campaign with a stellar tie, and knowing a Europa League place is still up for grabs. "What could be better than playing against Real Madrid in front of 70 000 fans at the Olympiastadion?" said midfielder Robin Gosens. "Against Real, we've got to put everything on the table to try and reach the Europa League. It's an all-or-nothing game at home against Real, a team that epitomises the Champions League."

Match Facts: FC Union Berlin are set to face Real Madrid for a second time, having lost 1-0 on MD1 of this season’s Uefa Champions League. Indeed, that is their only previous European game against a Spanish team.

Real Madrid won just one of their first 15 away Uefa Champions League games in Germany (D4 L10) but have since won six of their last 11 trips (D2 L3), although did lose 3-2 to RB Leipzig on their most recent game in Germany last season.

Inter v Real Sociedad (21:00)

Imanol Alguacil is revelling in Real Sociedad's scrap for top spot with the Italian giants, with both teams already qualified and each sitting on 11 points. "You can imagine what it means, can't you, to be able to go into the last matchday depending on yourself," said La Real's coach. "That's the best news. Also, in a strong and difficult Champions League group, we haven't lost a game yet and that means the team is playing and competing very well. Let's see if we are able to keep this level because it's not going to be easy, but we are going to do it."

Match Facts: Inter are set to host Real Sociedad in a European game for the first time since beating them 3-0 in a Uefa Cup match in September 1979. Real Sociedad have won just one of their nine major European matches against Italian teams (D4 L4), beating Inter 2-0 at home in the Uefa Cup in October 1979; they are winless in four away games (D1 L3).

Salzburg v Benfica (21:00)

Benfica can still pip Salzburg for third place following their pulsating 3-3 draw with Inter, a game hat-trick hero João Mário reflected on before turning his attention to their final assignment. "This is a reflection of our campaign in the Champions League this season," he said. "We have paid dearly for some mistakes, and in this competition it's like that. There's a tiny chance of reaching the Europa League. That is what we aim for and we're going to keep on trying because if we can have a first half like this one against a strong side like Inter, you have to at least try to do the same against Salzburg."

Match Facts: FC Red Bull Salzburg have won three of their five major European matches against Portuguese opponents (D1 L1), beating three different teams: Sporting CP in 1993 in the Uefa Cup, Vitória Guimarães in 2017 in the Europa League and Benfica earlier this season in the Champions League.

This is Benfica’s first major European away match in Austria since beating FC Wacker Innsbruck 4-0 in September 1971 in a European Cup game, with Eusébio scoring one of their four goals that day.