Tensions ran high at the iconic Old Trafford as both Paris and Manchester United walked out to the pitch with the Champions League anthem playing in the background. With RB Leipzig winning their early kickoff against Istanbul Basaksehir, Paris needed to win their match against Manchester United to hold on to the second place in the group.
It was a heated clash between two heavy weights and the game was played at high intensity with events occurring one after the other at both ends of the pitch. As the referee blew the whistle at the end of the second half, the score line was 3-1 to Paris with Neymar scoring twice and Marquinhos scoring once. This is how the table looks after 5 matchdays :
With three teams on 9 points, Matchday 6 will determine the two teams that will advance to the decorated knockout stages of the biggest club competition in the world.
Matchday 6 fixtures :
Paris Saint-Germain vs Istanbul Basaksehir
RB Leipzig vs Manchester United FC
Although the fixture for PSG looks easy on paper, they take on a side that beat Manchester United in Matchday 3 and scored 3 goals in a loss against RB Leipzig in Matchday 5. The last year finalists would look to kill the game in the early minutes to avoid any drama in the final phases and would rely on their talented front 3 – Neymar, Mbappe and Di Maria, to take them to the knockout stages.
If PSG were to lose their fixture, they would require Manchester United to win their match to ensure that they do not slip down to the Europa League. If they do slip down, the financial implications would prove to be costly for a club of the stature of PSG and pour oil to the fire surrounding the rumor around Mbappe not willing to renew his contract with PSG.
The scenario for RB Leipzig is pretty straightforward – win and you go through, lose and you’re likely to be playing in the Europa league come March. The reverse fixture at Old Trafford saw a win for Manchester United, with Marcus Rashford bagging a hattrick in a 5-0 win for the red devils. RB Leipzig would be waiting to get their revenge and what better stage to do it than the final matchday of the CL group stages.
Match statistics - Manchester United vs RB Leipzig, Matchday 2 :
Manchester United – what a rollercoaster season this has been so far. The red devils have been dealt with unlikely defeats as well as a thumping victory in the CL. But all that matters now is that one final game in Matchday 6. A victory for United would reduce the pressure on Ole temporarily, but a defeat might severely hamper their confidence and form in the Premier League as well.
The impact that Matchday 6 would have on the teams who are yet to qualify for the CL knockout stages is beyond one’s imagination. The CL brings early Christmas presents to all football fans around the world – a testimony to its eminence and importance.