Zalgiris
Hamrun
FCSB
Inter Escaldes
Ludogorets
Dinamo Minsk
Shelbourne
Linfield
The first-ever Champions League league phase has concluded after a thrilling Matchday 8, determining which teams advance directly to the Round of 16, who must go through the knockout play-offs, and who has been eliminated.
Liverpool finished at the top despite a 3-2 defeat against PSV Eindhoven, while Barcelona missed their chance to claim first place after a draw against Benfica. Arsenal and Inter also held their positions, securing their spots in the last 16.
However, giants like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich failed to make the top eight and will now have to fight through the knockout play-offs. Meanwhile, Manchester City narrowly avoided early elimination in this new format.
Contents
🔝 Top 8: Straight into the Round of 16
The following teams have automatically qualified for the last 16:
| Rank | Club | Points | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 1️⃣ | Liverpool (Q) | 21 | +12 |
| 2️⃣ | Barcelona (Q) | 19 | +15 |
| 3️⃣ | Arsenal (Q) | 19 | +13 |
| 4️⃣ | Inter (Q) | 19 | +10 |
| 5️⃣ | Atletico Madrid (Q) | 18 | +8 |
| 6️⃣ | Bayer Leverkusen (Q) | 16 | +8 |
| 7️⃣ | Lille (Q) | 16 | +7 |
| 8️⃣ | Aston Villa (Q) | 16 | +7 |
Liverpool dominated throughout the campaign, but their final-day defeat was a minor setback. Barcelona, Arsenal, and Inter followed closely, while Aston Villa surprised many by securing a top-eight finish.
⚔️ Knockout Play-Off Round (9th – 24th Place)
These teams will compete in a knockout play-off round for a place in the Round of 16:
| Rank | Club | Points | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9️⃣ | Atalanta (q) | 15 | +14 |
| 🔟 | Borussia Dortmund (q) | 15 | +10 |
| 1️⃣1️⃣ | Real Madrid (q) | 15 | +8 |
| 1️⃣2️⃣ | Bayern Munich (q) | 15 | +8 |
| 1️⃣3️⃣ | AC Milan (q) | 15 | +3 |
| 1️⃣4️⃣ | PSV Eindhoven (q) | 14 | +4 |
| 1️⃣5️⃣ | Paris Saint-Germain (q) | 13 | +5 |
| 1️⃣6️⃣ | Benfica (q) | 13 | +4 |
| 1️⃣7️⃣ | Monaco (q) | 13 | 0 |
| 1️⃣8️⃣ | Brest (q) | 13 | -1 |
| 1️⃣9️⃣ | Feyenoord (q) | 13 | -3 |
| 2️⃣0️⃣ | Juventus (q) | 12 | +2 |
| 2️⃣1️⃣ | Celtic (q) | 12 | -1 |
| 2️⃣2️⃣ | Manchester City (q) | 11 | +4 |
| 2️⃣3️⃣ | Sporting CP (q) | 11 | +1 |
| 2️⃣4️⃣ | Club Brugge (q) | 11 | -4 |
The biggest shock here is Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, both failing to secure direct qualification despite their strong Champions League histories. Meanwhile, Manchester City barely survived, finishing in 22nd place.
❌ Eliminated from the Champions League
These 12 teams are officially out of the tournament:
| Rank | Club | Points | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2️⃣5️⃣ | Dinamo Zagreb (E) | 11 | -7 |
| 2️⃣6️⃣ | VfB Stuttgart (E) | 10 | -4 |
| 2️⃣7️⃣ | Shakhtar Donetsk (E) | 7 | -8 |
| 2️⃣8️⃣ | Bologna (E) | 6 | -5 |
| 2️⃣9️⃣ | Crvena zvezda (E) | 6 | -9 |
| 3️⃣0️⃣ | Sturm Graz (E) | 6 | -9 |
| 3️⃣1️⃣ | Sparta Prague (E) | 4 | -14 |
| 3️⃣2️⃣ | RB Leipzig (E) | 3 | -7 |
| 3️⃣3️⃣ | Girona (E) | 3 | -8 |
| 3️⃣4️⃣ | Red Bull Salzburg (E) | 3 | -22 |
| 3️⃣5️⃣ | Slovan Bratislava (E) | 0 | -20 |
| 3️⃣6️⃣ | Young Boys (E) | 0 | -21 |
RB Leipzig and Girona had disappointing campaigns, while Young Boys and Slovan Bratislava finished without a single point.
🔥 What’s Next?
- The Round of 16 draw will determine the next matchups for the top eight teams.
- The Knockout Play-Off Round will see teams fight for the remaining spots.
- Which team do you think will win the Champions League this season? Drop your predictions in the comments! 👇⚽
