Barca advances as Bayern, City settle for runner-up spots
Failing to top a Champions League group often comes back to bite teams when the competition really gets going in the round of 16.
Bayern Munich and Manchester City are two high-profile teams who are guaranteed to advance as runners-up following the latest round of group games in Europe’s top competition Wednesday.
Bayern surprisingly lost 3-2 at tournament newcomer FC Rostov and will finish in Group D behind Atlético Madrid, which beat PSV Eindhoven 2-0 and is the only team to have won all five of its group games.
City drew 1-1 at Borussia Moenchengladbach and cannot topple Barcelona, which secured first place in Group C by beating Celtic 2-0, thanks to Lionel Messi’s two goals.
Real Madrid, the reigning champion, is another top team sitting as runner-up in a group heading into the final round of games after Tuesday’s 2-1 win at Sporting Lisbon.
Topping the group earns a last-16 match against a runner-up to begin the knockout stage.
“I didn’t know if I was on these guys’ radar,” the former A’s outfielder said after finalizing a $52 million, four-year contract.
Reddick, who gets $13 million in each of the next four seasons, has 96 career homers, 346 RBIs and a .255 batting average.