
The inaugural Champions League league phase is set for a dramatic finish, with 25 of the 36 teams still fighting for qualification. All 18 matches will kick off simultaneously at 20:00 GMT on Wednesday, creating a high-stakes evening of European football.
While Liverpool and Barcelona are already through, Manchester City face elimination, and clubs like Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Celtic still have work to do.
How Teams Can Qualify for the Knockout Stage
The new format replaces the traditional group stage, with teams playing eight matches against different opponents instead of home-and-away fixtures.
Here’s what’s at stake:
- Top 8 finishers automatically qualify for the last 16 and are seeded.
- Teams ranked 9th-24th enter a playoff round (two-legged ties) to reach the last 16.
- 25th-36th place teams are eliminated with no Europa League drop-down.
Which Teams Are Already Through?
✅ Top 8 Guaranteed:
- Liverpool
- Barcelona
✅ At Least a Playoff Spot Secured:
- Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Aston Villa, Monaco, Feyenoord, Lille, Brest, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Juventus, Celtic
🔄 Still Uncertain:
- PSV, Club Brugge, Benfica, PSG, Sporting, Stuttgart, Manchester City, Dinamo Zagreb, Shakhtar Donetsk
❌ Eliminated:
- Bologna, Sparta Prague, RB Leipzig, Girona, Red Star Belgrade, Sturm Graz, Salzburg, Slovan Bratislava, Young Boys
What Do the British Teams Need?
Manchester City 🔵
- Must beat Club Brugge to qualify for the playoffs.
- A draw or loss = elimination from European competition.
Arsenal 🔴
- Three points ahead of the playoff zone with superior goal difference—virtually assured of last 16 qualification.
Aston Villa 🟣
- A win vs. Celtic could secure a top 8 spot if teams above them drop points.
- Guaranteed at least a playoff spot.
Celtic 🟢
- Need a win against Villa + favorable results elsewhere to make top 8.
- If they lose, they risk elimination.
Liverpool 🔴
- Already secured a last 16 spot.
- Will finish in the top two of the league table.
Why Does Finishing Position Matter?
Advantages of a Top 8 Finish:
- Avoids the extra playoff round and grants direct access to the last 16.
- Higher rankings mean a more favorable last 16 draw.
9th-24th Place Playoff System:
- 9th-16th place teams are seeded and will face clubs ranked 17th-24th.
- Higher seeds play the second leg at home.
How Financial Rewards Increase:
Each team gets a €18.62m (£15.6m) participation fee, but prize money varies based on performance:
Stage | Prize Money (€) |
---|---|
Win in Group Stage | €2.1m |
Draw in Group Stage | €700,000 |
Top 8 Finish Bonus | €2m |
Last 16 Qualification | €11m |
Quarter-Finals | €12.5m |
Semi-Finals | €15m |
Finalists | €18.5m |
Champions | €25m |
Missing out on the knockout stage could cost clubs up to €64.5m (£54.1m) in lost revenue.
What to Expect on the Final Matchday
The fast-changing table dynamics will keep fans on edge, with teams relying on results elsewhere.
- Key Fixtures with Direct Knockout Implications:
- Man City vs. Club Brugge (City must win)
- Stuttgart vs. PSG (PSG could face elimination)
- Brest vs. Real Madrid (Real Madrid need a result to secure a top 8 spot)
- Aston Villa vs. Celtic (Playoff positioning at stake)
Uefa’s goal of “every game counting” has been realized, as 16 of the 18 matches have major implications.
Who do you think will make it through? Share your predictions in the comments below! 🚀⚽