That won't matter too much to either of these sides, as both are excited to be playing in the first Euro
knockout phase matches in their nation's history.
Not exact matches
So, Barca finished the
match as the group champion and secured their place in
knockout phase.
Roberto Mancini was quick however to highlight the Spanish side's threat, predicting the midweek encounter to be one of Zenit's toughest of the season, a
match that'll probably determine the first most likely side to make it to the
knockout phases even at this early stage.
Dortmund must win the
match in order to remain in contention to qualify for the
knockout phase of the UCL.
• The Madrid club went into that
match in Lisbon on a run of seven successive away wins in the UEFA Europa League
knockout phase.
The forward is unlikely to be fit for next week's Champions League Group F
match against Olympiakos, a game Arsenal need to win by two goals to qualify for the
knockout phase of the competition.
• Lazio, who have qualified for the UEFA Europa League
knockout phase in each of their last five participations — after that initial lapse in 2009/10 — have lost two of their last three European fixtures outside Italy, against Zulte Waregem (2 - 3) and FCSB (0 - 1), having previously equalled a UEFA Europa League record, group stage to final, by going 11 successive away
matches unbeaten (W4 D7).
Thus, the 32 teams are segregated into eight groups of four teams that play against each other and proceed to the
knockout phase and the final
match which is held in May.