November 18th, 2009 by Phil Lythell

Just two matchdays remain in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League and the pressure is beginning to mount.

Seven clubs have already qualified for the knockout stages – Chelsea, Porto, Manchester United, Arsenal, Bordeaux, Lyon and Sevilla – though issues such as who will top their respective groups and thus get a more favourable draw in the next round are still to be settled.

The most significant casualty so far in the competition this season would appear to be Liverpool as they are currently on the verge of a shock exit from a tournament that they have won on five occasions. A win for Fiorentina at Lyon in their next outing would condemn Rafael Benitez and his men to the UEFA Europa League.

Defending champions Barcelona are also in an uncomfortable position though not nearly as precarious as Liverpool. They sit third in Group F but with just two points separating all four teams they should be able to secure the necessary results to move into the next round.

Bayern Munich, however, are hanging by a thread with a victory away at Juventus on the final day almost certainly required for the Bavarians to have any chance of qualifying. Failure to do so would be a catastrophe for manager Louis Van Gaal who spent a vast amount of money in the summer overhauling his squad.

Neither AC Milan nor Real Madrid are assured of qualification either. The teams occupy the two top spots in Group C but with Marseille lurking ominously a point behind the pair there is still scope for an upset.

It is going to be a nervy few weeks for many clubs around Europe.

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