Should Bayern Munich win in Rostov hours before Atletico Madrid take on PSV, then the latter game will be rendered worthless in a qualifying sense because nothing will still be decided in terms of who finishes top of the group and who comes second. It could all come down to the final match day of the group stage on December 6, when the Rojiblancos take on the Bavarians at the Allianz Arena. A home victory in that fixture would be worth first place for Carlo Ancelotti's side, whilst any other result would mean Atleti stay at the summit. Diego Simeone's team has 12 points on the board after four straight victories, Bayern have nine having lost the match at the Estadio Vicente Calderon. If the Bavarians impose themselves in Russia as expected, then they would have the same points as the Rojiblancos before their game on the banks of the Manzanares later in the day. Should Atletico win it would take them to 15, a draw would leave them on 13 points, and even a loss means that they would remain on 12. In each case, they would still sit above Bayern by virtue of having beaten them earlier in the competition. A Bayern triumph on the final day would put the Germans level, meaning that the group would have to be decided on goal difference - currently Bayern are +8 whilst Atleti have +4.
Million and a half for victory
In any case, UEFA as always dangle a carrot for a team willing to go all out for victory. Each win in the group stage is worth 1.5 million euros, and on that basis alone it should be enough for either team to be giving of their very best.Atletico Madrid have the chance to turn a page after what was humiliating Madrid derby by continuing their winning run in the Champions League. Following their 3-0 humbling by Real Madrid, Los Rojiblancos returned to training on Monday with Diego Simeone taking some time out to analyse the club's LaLiga demise in recent weeks. Above all things, he will be looking for his team to rediscover the defensive solidity which they have seemingly neglected in recent weeks - a key aspect of Simeone's modus operandi and which has given them so much success in recent times.
While things might not be going their way domestically, Atleti still remain at the top of Group D above Bayern Munich, PSV and FC Rostov. And the club have the chance to create a bit of history when they take on PSV Eindhoven at the Estadio Vicente Calderon on Wednesday. The Dutch side aren't at their best at this moment in time so there is a possibility of the hosts winning their first five Champions League group stage clashes for the first time in their history. Simeone was close to achieving such a feat back in 2013/14 when Atleti easily dispatched Zenit St Petersburg, Porto and Austria Vienna (twice) in their opening four fixtures only to fall short in their fifth match in Russia, eventually drawing 1-1. In the following season, the Rojiblancos lost their opener against Olympiacos whilst it was a Nico Gaitan-led Benfica side that stifled the possibility of achieving said feat in their second group stage match last season. A win against PSV would all but seal a first-place finish and the three points could be crucial in realising the dream of a 100 percent winning run in the group stage.
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