Hello world and welcome to this Champions League clockwatch. As Flight of the Conchords once sang, it’s business time. After today’s matches, there will be just two rounds of matches remaining in the league phase, so time is running out for teams to make the top eight automatic qualification spots or the other places (nine-24) for the play-off round to reach the knockouts. Yes, many eyes will be on Real Madrid v Manchester City, a blockbuster tie if ever there was one, but the six other 8pm GMT matches have plenty at stake. uardianLast year, 11 points was enough to reach the play-offs and 16 points enough to make the top eight, so that is a rough guide for what this year’s hopefuls will be trying to achieve.
