A Champions League dream is turning into a nightmare for some sides this season.
With the group stage nearing its conclusion, time is running out for teams looking to recover from slow starts to their European campaign.
For those who don't manage to rank in the top two of their groups, a third-place finish will see them drop into the Europa League. While there is still plenty to love about Europe's second most prestigious club competition, the Champions League dream will be over for another year.
Let's take a look at some of the sides in danger of dropping into the Europa League.
Sevilla
Let's begin with the Europa League kings.
The seven-time champions of the competition and last year's winners face the prospect of falling into the Europa League once more this season. Despite the fact that Sevilla would love to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, there is a sense that the Spanish side wouldn't be too disheartened to finish third in Group B.
There is a strong possibility of that happening too in a highly competitive group. While Arsenal currently sit at the head of the table and are highly likely to qualify, Lens and PSV Eindhoven will both give Sevilla stern competition for the other automatic spot.
Lens, having beaten Arsenal, sit ahead of both Sevilla and PSV, giving them the edge for qualification. However, the remaining battles between the sides chasing down Mikel Arteta's team will be intriguing.
As things stand
Benfica
The two-time European Cup winners are in serious danger of missing out on European football entirely at present, with Benfica currently sitting rock bottom of Group D without a point to their name.
The Portuguese side lost their first three Champions League encounters to put them in a perilous position. In fact, Roger Schmidt's are yet to score a goal in the competition, something that will need to change if they have any hope of at least making the Europa League.
Despite reaching the quarter-final of the Champions League last season, a third-placed finish seems Benfica's best shot at continuing their European journey this term. Schmidt's men are already seven points off both Sociedad and Inter with just three games remaining.
As things stand
Manchester United
After nothing short of a disastrous start to his first Champions League campaign with Manchester United, Erik ten Hag has some serious work to do to ensure that the Red Devils qualify from Group A.
Despite being drawn in what appeared a fairly favourable group, Man Utd have lost games against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray to put their qualification dreams in danger. The three-time Champions League winners also needed a 97th-minute Andre Onana penalty save to get all three points during a tepid 1-0 win over Kobenhavn at the halfway point of the group stage.
With trips to Denmark and Turkey on the horizon, both against teams with impressive home records, Man Utd could well slip into the Europa League. While Ten Hag's side have the quality required to make it beyond the group stages, their European and domestic performances have left a lot to be desired.
As things stand
Atletico Madrid
Group E is currently one of the most hotly contested in the competition, with three of the four sides narrowly separated. Atletico Madrid are one of them and remain in danger of dropping into the Europa League despite sitting second at the halfway mark.
The Spanish side were held to a pair of somewhat underwhelming draws away at Lazio and Celtic. A far-from-convincing 3-2 win over Feyenoord at the Wanda Metropolitano has shown Diego Simeone that his side can't take anything for granted.
Two home victories from their remaining three games should be enough to secure passage to the knockout stages, but any slip-ups may be pounced upon in a tight group.
As things stand
Newcastle United & AC Milan
In what has been labelled the 'Group of Death' from the moment the draw was completed, Group F is certainly living up to expectations.
Despite Newcastle United having made a strong start to the campaign after securing a draw away in Milan and masterminding a home thrashing of Paris Saint-Germain, a St James' Park defeat to Borussia Dortmund could prove costly.
Eddie Howe's side now face away trips to Dortmund and Paris, knowing they can ill afford any more defeats.
Milan are also living dangerously in Group F, having failed to score across any of their first three matches but keeping themselves in contention with two goalless draws. Stefano Pioli's men still have the capacity to make it to the last 16, especially with two home ties from three remaining fixtures.
However, Milan have not been at their best this season despite making the semi-final of last year's Champions League, so they may have to settle for the Europa League this time round.
As things stand
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This article was originally published on 90min as The Champions League teams in danger of dropping into the Europa League.
