Fifth Champions League defeat ensures last place finish for Antwerp

A fifth defeat in this year's Champions League has left Antwerp FC mathematically certain to finish bottom of their group. The club lost 1-0 to Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night.

Antwerp's debut season in the Champions League has been far from successful. They started with ambition in a group containing the superstars of FC Barcelona, as well as FC Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk, two more manageable opponents. But Antwerp have failed to pick up a single point so far, losing five matches in a row.

Tuesday's defeat to the Ukrainian club means that a third place finish, which would have guaranteed a place in the Europa League knockout rounds, is out of reach. Antwerp's European campaign will come to an end after the return leg against FC Barcelona on 13 December.

After the winter break, the club will turn their attention to the domestic competitions. The defending champions are currently fifth in the league and are still in the Belgian Cup, where they will face Charleroi in the round of 16 on 6 December as they look to defend their title following last season's double victory.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Antwerp's Toby Alderweireld © BELGA PHOTO TOM GOYVAERTS}