Champions League table favours Sporting, but Lions still depend on... | OneFootball

The historic victory against PSG, 2-1 at Alvalade, placed Sporting in a decidedly positive scenario in the Champions League. With qualification for the playoffs already secured, the lions now enter the final matchday of the regular phase with legitimate ambitions to advance directly to the round of 16 of the prestigious competition.

Heading into the decisive round, Rui Borges' team occupies the 10th place in the standings, joining a large group of clubs with the same number of points and similar aspirations. Atalanta (13th), Atlético de Madrid (12th), Manchester City (11th), Barcelona (9th), Chelsea (8th), Newcastle (7th), and PSG (6th) are all on the same points level as the green and whites, which anticipates a night of strong emotions and multiple possible combinations.

Sporting travels to San Mamés to face Athletic Bilbao, currently in the playoff zone, in a highly challenging duel. A victory on Basque soil would significantly boost the lions' chances of finishing in the top-8 and securing direct qualification for the round of 16, but it may not be enough, considering the other scheduled matches.

The schedule is not particularly favorable for the lions' direct competitors. Barcelona hosts Copenhagen, Atlético de Madrid plays at home against Bodo/Glimt, and Atalanta visits Saint-Gilloise, all teams entering the final matchday outside the qualification zone. Manchester City is an exception in this group, facing Galatasaray, which still harbors hopes of advancing. Meanwhile in Paris, PSG and Newcastle face off in a direct confrontation that guarantees, at least, the loss of points for one of the teams tied with Sporting.

In this context, Rui Borges and his players know they depend not only on their performance in Bilbao but also on other results. Nevertheless, the scenario is clear: Sporting reaches the final matchday in a privileged position, with room to maneuver and the real possibility of taking another historic step in the Champions League.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.