Yesterday's 1-2 home defeat to Chelsea is behind us, but we are full of pride for the effort shown by our boys. Everything is set for the big showdown in Milan next week.
Plenty are asking what we need to stay in Europe over the winter or still find a way into the UEFA Champions League last 16. We got our calculators out to go through all possible scenarios.
Joining Chelsea in the knockout stages
Our Red Bulls have no chance of winning the group any more after their defeat against the Blues yesterday. Second place is still a possibility, however. Köhn & Co 'just' have to pick up a win at a place called the San Siro. If we can manage that, we will overtake AC Milan and our team would definitely be in the next round! Winning in Italy will be far from easy but is our only route to staying in the Champions League.
Changing our European course
Coach Matthias Jaissle said after the Champions League group stage draw that his main aim was to stay in Europe over the winter. A third-place finish would ensure that, with a spot in the UEFA Europa League play-off, and with it the chance to battle for a place in the last 16 with the teams second in their Europa League groups. Should we draw in Milan, we can be sure of that, as Dinamo Zagreb will have no chance of overtaking us (due to our upper hand in the two clashes against the Croatian side). Should we be defeated, we will have to glance anxiously at the score in London. Unless Dinamo win at Chelsea, we will still go through.
End of our journey
If our boys lose in Milan and Dinamo pull off a shock win at Stamford Bridge, we will bow out of Europe for the season.
To ensure that doesn't happen, we need as much support as possible for our boys! There are still a few tickets left for the biggest fan journey in our club's history next Wednesday 2 November. The bus journey and individual match tickets can still be booked today (26 October) in our online Ticket Shop until 23:59 CET.
