Top 5 Teams That Are in Danger of Failing to Qualify From Their Champions League Groups

• Chelsea and Juventus headline a list of top European clubs that are in danger of getting relegated to the Europa League after uninspiring performances so far
• Chelsea have a solid point and face an uphill task against Italian champions AC Milan with their new manager Graham Potter
• Juventus are without a point but can cling to the hope they still have 6 'easy' points against the group's underdogs, Maccabi Haifa

After two rounds of this season's Champions League campaign, things are looking very thick for top European teams.

The danger of failing to advance to the round of 16 and possibly dropping into the second-fiddle Europa League is nigh for some teams unless there's a quick reversal of fortunes in the remaining four games.

Match Preview: Milan renew hostilities with rivals Inter in first Derby della Madonnina meeting of the season

Football

Sports Brief takes a look at the top 5 teams which could fail to make it out of their group.

1. Chelsea

Chelsea have begun the season indifferently and are set to finish a Champions League campaign with two different managers. 2021 winner Thomas Tuchel was sacked after the opening day defeat to Dinamo Zagreb.

His successor Graham Potter had to settle for a draw against RB Salzburg leaving Chelsea rooted at the bottom of the log. And even worse news for Potter is they now have a doubleheader against AC Milan in the subsequent game weeks. Milan have looked threatening with Chelsea's target Rafael Leao.

2. Juventus

Massimiliano Allegri may insist he is not worried about his job but he should be. Juventus have now lost back-to-back games against Paris Saint-Germain and Benfica. Return legs with the two sides are still on the cards but their sole hope will rely on beating Israeli Champions Maccabi Haifa and hope PSG do them a solid against Benfica or vice versa.

Match Preview: French champions Paris Saint-Germain host Juventus in UEFA Champions League cliffhanger

Football

3. Atletico Madrid

Even as their wars with Barcelona continue over Antoinne Griezmann continue, Diego Simeone's side need to conjure up something fast in Europe. Their recent loss against Bayer Leverkusen put them in a difficult position of getting favourable results against group leaders Club Brugge whom they face next.

4. Inter Milan

Simone Inzaghi's side picked up their first win of the season after Edin Dzeko inspired them to a 2-0 win over Viktoria Plzen. They will be confident of getting a similar result in the return leg but the main worry will come up against Barcelona and Bayern Munich. The Nerazzurri will need something spectacular to overcome one of the European giants.

5. Tottenham Hotspur

Perhaps shouldn't be included in this list but their recent smash-and-grab loss to Sporting Lisbon once again underlined that Europe is not Antonio Conte's forte. They equally struggled against Marseille in the first game week but managed to curve out a result. Up next they face a wounded Eintracht Frankfurt who are also looking for points to stay in the elite group longer, lest they get relegated to go back and defend their Europe League crown.

Ange Postecoglou's Celtic out to cause upset against Real Madrid in UEFA Champions League Group F encounter

Football

Chelsea fans applaud former head coach Thomas Tuchel

Sports Brief had earlier reported that Chelsea fans took time to applaud their immediate former coach Thomas Tuchel after he was sacked last week by the new owners.

Many fans are yet to come to terms with the dismissal of the manager who led them to the elusive Club World Cup trophy, among other major titles.

The fans, who thronged Stamford Bridge to watch Tuchel's successor Graham Potter in action, applauded Tuchel in the 21st minute.