English champions, Chelsea rounded off their Champions League group stage campaign with a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
This result, alongside the Roma victory over Qarabag, ensured that the blues finished second in group C, despite a two point lead going into the last game of the group phase.
Antonio Conte’s side needed a win to cement their position as group winners, but they found themselves 1-0 down, courtesy of Saul Niguez’s early second half strike for Diego Simeone’s team.
However, Stefan Savic’s own goal 15 minutes from time ensured both sides shared the spoils.
Speaking after the game ahead of what’s expected to be an interesting draw for the knockout stages on Monday, Chelsea’s star player, Eden Hazard says the Blues fear no team and are ready to ‘face anyone’, including ‘very good’ Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.
It’s not a problem,” Hazard said about the draw. “we are Chelsea, a top team, [and] we can face anyone. We know PSG and Barcelona are very good, but we are Chelsea so we have to be ready for everything.”
Chelsea’s rivals, Manchester United,
In group A, Manchester United completed a comeback against CSKA Moscow to seal a place in the last 16.
Vitinho gave the visitors a bizarre lead, just three minutes before the break. But two quick goals, after the hour mark, from Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford turned the game in United’s favour to stretch their unbeaten home run to 40 games, equalling the club’s record.
At the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich ensured Paris Saint-Germain didn’t finish the group stage unbeaten as a Corentin Tolisso brace inspired them to a 3-1 home win. Robert Lewandowski scored Bayern’s other goal, while PSG’s came courtesy Kylian Mbappe.
Nevertheless, the win wasn’t enough for the Bavarians to topple the French side, as they finished second, with PSG group B winners.
In group D, Juventus are also through to the knockout phase, after a 2-0 win away to Olympiacos.
The Old Lady join group winners, Barcelona, who defeated Sporting Libson 2-0 at Nou Camp.
