Expresso Platform: Big Games | Sporting already knows almost all the potential contenders in the Round of 16 (and each is bigger than the other)

Tuesday’s defeat at home to Ajax did not in any way change the fate of Sporting, who entered the field already well and had no chance of reaching first place in Group C, which would always belong to the Netherlands. On the other hand, Benfica on Wednesday will try to secure a place in the next stage, which will always be via second place in Group E.

By this time Rúben Amorim already knows, yes, a good portion of the teams that might get lucky in the round of 16 of the competition – and the list is full of European giants. Thus, among the teams that have already secured first place in their groups and that may be replayed for Sporting are Manchester City (Group A), Liverpool (Group B), Real Madrid (Group D) and Bayern Munich (Group E). ) and Manchester United (Group F) – In the round of 16, Sporting and Ajax could not meet so far, only in the “quarters”.

It has not yet been decided who will pass first in Group H, but it will be another former European champion: either Chelsea, the current title holders, or Juventus. The easier rivals could come from Group G, whose accounts are still very mixed: either Lille, Salzburg, Seville or Wolfsburg could be first in the group.

The draw for the Round of 16 Champions will take place next Monday, at 11 am in mainland Portugal.