UEFA CL: Duel Marmoush - Osimhen, Aubameyang to save OM, Hakimi expected to start

Several African internationals will be on the field to play in the final matches of the Champions League before the direct elimination phase. The suspense remains intact whether it is at the top or at the bottom of the table.

Hakimi could start against Newcastle United


Since his return to PSG after the final lost at the AFCON 2025, Achraf Hakimi has not yet resumed the competition. The Moroccan international defender is presciently a starter to face Newcastle United at the Parc des Princes.

6th with 13 points, PSG must beat the Magpies to ensure their place in the top 8 and a direct qualification for the eighth final. Moreover, the Parisian club, holders of the title, must relaunch in C1 after their surprising defeat (2-1) in Portugal against Sporting.

Omar Marmoush and Manchester City aim for the top 8

Manchester City have achieved a very average run in the Champions League this season. After 7 days, the Cityzens have a record of 4 wins, one draw and 2 defeats. The last defeat to date was during the previous day against FK Bodø/Glimt (3-1) away.

11th with 13 points, the Skyblues can still finish in the top 8. They must win against Victor Osimhen’s Galatasaray and expect missteps from PSG, Newcastle, Sporting, Barça, Chelsea... It seems to be a difficult journey for the men of Pep Guardiola. 

17th with 10 points, that is 3 wins, one draw and 3 defeats, Galatasaray of the Nigerian star seeks to consolidate his place for the play-offs. As a result, they will take this meeting at the Etihad Stadium seriously. The Stambouliote club has already struck a great blow in C1 this season by winning at home (1-0) against Liverpool.

The top 8 also in the sights of Lookman and Atalanta Bergamo

Defeated (3-2) by Athletic Bilbao on the 7th day at home, Atalanta Bergamo intend to conclude the regular phase in the Champions League in style. Now with Ademola Lookman, the Serie A club will challenge Union Saint-Gilloise on the move at the Lotto Park.

Currently 13th in the UCL with 13 points, Atalanta Bergamo has a minimal chance of finishing in the top 8. 

OM to a victory in the play-offs

19th with 8 points, Olympique de Marseille is close behind by several clubs. If the OM club completes a checkered course, it has one last chance to maintain its position and play-off in the coming weeks. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Amine Gouiri and the other partners must at all costs win Club Brugge (27th, 7 points) at the Jan Breydel.

Big duel between Dortmund and Inter Milan

It’s the shock of this final day of the Champions League. At the Signal Iduna Park in front of its yellow wall, Borussia Dortmund (16th, 11 points) welcomes Inter Milan (14th, 12 points).  It will be difficult for both teams to be part of the top 8. But, they are almost certain to finish in the playoffs. The goal for both clubs will be to win to conclude this first phase with a victory. 

The two teams come out of a defeat during the previous day in C1. Inter Milan lost (3-1) to Arsenal at home. While Borussia Dortmund was defeated (2-0) by Tottenham, in England.

Serhou Guirassy stays on 3 matches without scoring. It’s an eternity for the Guinean international striker. His last goal was on 13 January 2026 in Dortmund’s 3-0 home win against Werder. Against Inter Milan, the striker will try to restart the goal machine.

The complete fixtures of match day 8

Athletic Bilbao - Sporting (San Mamés)
Liverpool - FK Qarabag (Anfield Road)
FC Barcelona - Copenhagen (Camp Nou)
AS Monaco - Juventus (Louis II)
Ajax Amsterdam - Olympiakos (Amsterdam Arena)
PSG - Newcastle (Parc des Princes)
Dortmund - Inter Milan (Signal Iduna Park)
Naples - Chelsea (Diego Armando Maradona Stadium)
Eintracht Frankfurt - Tottenham (Deutsche Bank Park)
Atlético Madrid - FK Bodø/Glimt (Riyadh Air Metropolitano)
Leverkusen - Villarreal (BayArena)
Arsenal - Kairat (Emirates Stadium)
Paphos - Slavia Prague (Alphamega Stadium)
Manchester City - Galatasaray (Etihad Stadium)
Club Brugge - Olympique de Marseille (Jan Breydel)
Benfica - Real Madrid (Estadio Da Luz)
Union Saint-Gilloise - Atalanta Bergamo (Lotto Park)
PSV Eindhoven - Bayern Munich (Philips Stadion)