Porto join the party
Monday, May 5, 2003
Article summary
FC Porto are the latest team to ensure their place in the UEFA Champions League group stage next season.
Article body
FC Porto became the fifth team assured a place in the UEFA Champions League group stage next season when they secured their 19th Portuguese title yesterday.
Tickets booked
Besides Porto, newly crowned English champions Manchester United FC, Premiership runners-up Arsenal FC, German champions FC Bayern München and Serie A leaders Juventus FC are also certain already of places in the tournament's group stage come the autumn.
Most places to play for
The three countries with the most places to play for are Spain, Italy and England, all of whom will enter four sides in next season's competition – the champions, runners-up and third and fourth-placed sides all earn a Champions League place, albeit the latter two enter in the third qualifying round.
Inter in second
In Spain, Real Madrid CF lead the way at present, with RC Deportivo La Coruña, Real Sociedad and RC Celta de Vigo occupying the other spots. In Italy, Internazionale FC, AC Milan and S.S. Lazio are the sides immediately below Juventus. Milan may not be able to overtake Juve but they and Lazio can still leapfrog Inter to take second place and gain direct qualification for the group stage.
Decider in England
English club Newcastle United FC have sealed third place and a place in the third qualifying round for next season. Chelsea FC are currently fourth, ahead of Liverpool FC on goal difference and the two sides meet in their final league game next Sunday. A draw will be enough for Chelsea to gain a place in Champions League qualifying.
Benfica lead chase
In Germany, VfB Stuttgart lead BV Borussia Dortmund by three points in the chase for second place behind Bayern and entry to the group stage. With four games remaining in Portugal, SL Benfica are eight points clear of Sporting Clube de Portugal as they strive to finish behind Porto and claim a place in the third qualifying round.
Brugge qualify
Elsewhere, Club Brugge KV will enter the third qualifying round having claimed the Belgian title and RSC Anderlecht will enter the second qualifying round as runners-up.
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