The reformatted and expanded 2024/25 Champions League was met with understandable skepticism, but has undoubtedly produced an impressive spectacle.
The new phase of the 36-team league is nearing its conclusion, with crowds remaining in scores 8 for the entire standings, with few sides certain to be their fates when the shutters close.
Some European giants are unsure in the knockout rounds and the scramble to finish in the top eight and avoid a two-legged play-off will be hotly contested during the final clash of lights.
Included here are the teams guaranteed to be in the Knockouts and those eliminated.
Rather surprisingly, only two sides have guaranteed their place in the last 16 of the New-Look Champions League, with Barcelona and in particular, Liverpool A cut above their competitors this year.
The Reds are the only team to have a perfect record after seven league stage games and have beaten with relatively little excitement. Arne Slot’s side are looking forward to a well-deserved break while others eye them in the play-off round.
Barcelona started with a defeat in Monaco but have since rallied to record six wins. A monumental 4-1 win over Bayern Munich on Matchday 3 set them on their way, with their bonkers and a controversial 5-4 triumph over Benfica to secure their place in the top eight. They could still take Liverpool to the top spot depending on the results of the final round of fixtures.
Many are confident of their place in the knockout rounds, but fewer are less sure whether one of the eight teams will go straight to the last 16 or whether they will have to prepare for a play-off battle.
arsenal are almost guaranteed to make the last 16, barring a dramatic and high-quality implosion against Girona in their final game while securing a single point Inter a top eight finish. Atlético Madrid And Milan are in strong positions as last season’s Europa League finalists Atalanta And Bayer Leverkusen are currently in the top eight.
Things are less clear when it comes to regulating European champions real Madridwho are guaranteed a play-off spot but need favors from elsewhere to automatically reach the last 16. Bayern MunichPresent Borussia Dortmund And Juventus are in similar positions.
Celtic have reached the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time since 2012/13 and will be happy with a play-off berth Aston Villa They currently sit just outside the top eight on their return to Europe’s premier competition.
Brest I was the feel-good story of this semester’s competition, massively revamped with their debut, while other sides Ligue 1 Lille And Monaco have played better than French champions Paris Saint-Germain, who are in the top 24 against the league stage.
Manchester City have been the surprise suppressors this season and currently sit outside the knockout spots. They face a nervy clash with Club Brugge in their final outing to secure their play-off place.
RB Leipzig I was incredibly underwhelmed by their impressive squad in Europe, although they had the misfortune of fielding Liverpool, Inter, Atletico, Juventus and Villa. The 2019/20 semi-finalists have already been eliminated.
Bologna And Girona were overwhelmed during their Champions League bows and their heroic form failed to carry them into Europe’s top tier in 2023/24. You can no longer do the knockout phase alongside the regulars of the competition Red Star Belgrade And Salzburg.
It was a miserable European campaign for both Swiss sides Young boys and Slovakian outfit Slovan Bratislava. Both have failed to secure a single point during the opening seven games, although the former has a chance to change that on the final day against Red Star.