Halfway through the penultimate round of the Champions League group phase, for the first time in a league format containing 36 teams, the qualification equations are finally beginning to take shape.

Milan's decision to sign Kyle Walker from Manchester City could prove to be a timely call after Emerson Royal was forced off during the opening exchanges of

AC Milan will face off against Girona for the first time in their history tonight as they welcome them for the penultimate game of the first Champions League phase.Milan have played 36 times in the

Real Madrid is scouring the transfer market to find a solution to their problem position at left-back with Alphonso Davies seeming close to turning down a move to Spain.

Having served a suspension against Juventus, Alvaro Morata will be back in the side and he is someone that knows Girona well. The Spaniard has faced them six times in his career with four wins, one draw and one defeat. He has scored four goals in the process, including the hat-trick that he got for Atletico Madrid last season.

A first-half goal by winger Rafael Leao helped AC Milan to a 1-0 home win against Girona in the Champions League on Wednesday, leaving the Italians well-placed to book a spot in the last 16.

Paramount+ offers exclusive live streams and on-demand replays of all UEFA Champions League matches and when you sign up, you get a free week trial. Girona is on the verge of being eliminated from contention for the knockout phase at 1-0-5 thanks to three straight losses following the club’s lone Champions League victory.

Meanwhile, a first-half goal by winger Rafael Leao helped AC Milan to a 1-0 home win against Girona in the Champions League on Wednesday, leaving the Italians well-placed to book a spot in the last 16

Real Madrid had a comfortable 5-1 win at home to RB Salzburg on Wednesday that assures Carlo Ancelotti side at least secures a place in the play-offs

Remarkably, after multiple collapses and only two victories in seven tries, City remains alive. A win at home against Club Brugge on the final matchday, next Wednesday, would almost certainly be enough to secure a spot in the play-in round.

It's been a journey into the unknown, but the new-look Champions League is finally reaching the climax of the league phase. Here's what's needed to go through.

Jakub Kiwior, Gabriel and Oleksandr Zinchenko all started in defence, meaning three of the back four were left-footed. Arteta clearly highlighted a benefit that would arise from this line-up, and especially in the first half, Arsenal did build up really nicely from the back.