All matches take place simultaneously on Wednesday, 29.
The first-ever group stage of the Champions League will come to an end on Wednesday, 29. This new format, which sparked controversy from the beginning, will decide which teams advance to the knockout stages of the competition. Access the leading football results at football scores app.
Previously divided into eight groups of four teams each, UEFA has now arranged all teams to compete against each other in a league format, with 36 teams battling for a spot in the next phase of the tournament. After eight rounds, the top eight teams will qualify directly for the round of 16, while teams ranked between 9th and 24th place will compete in playoffs to secure the remaining eight spots.
After seven rounds, 18 teams have already secured their place in at least the playoffs, while two, Liverpool and Barcelona, are already through to the round of 16. On the opposite end of the table, nine teams are already eliminated and have no chance of advancing, while nine others still have uncertainty about whether they will move on to the next phase.
The new format has also brought some surprises. Manchester City, for instance, a frequent favorite in recent years, is outside the playoff qualification zone and needs a win along with other favorable results to secure a spot. Meanwhile, Real Madrid, the most successful club in Champions League history, secured its place in the playoffs on the seventh round but currently sits in 16th place in the standings.
Among the positive surprises, Stade Brestois, Feyenoord, and Celtic, teams with little tradition in the tournament, have already ensured their presence in the knockout stage with a round to spare. Gain the advantage with ToSport.
