For the first time in history, the UEFA Champions League has hosted matches in January. But today, another milestone will be set as 18 matches take place simultaneously, marking the final matchday of the league phase under the tournament’s new format.
So far, 18 teams have secured a place in the knockout stage, while 9 teams are still fighting for the remaining 6 spots. Among them, Liverpool and Barcelona have already secured direct entry to the Round of 16 by finishing in the top eight. Six more teams will join them directly, while the teams ranked 9th to 24th will face off in a playoff round to determine who advances further.
As we gear up for this historic night, here’s how the Champions League standings look before kickoff.
Champions League Standings Before the Final Matchday
Liverpool currently leads the table with 21 points, winning all 7 of their matches so far. They are followed by Barcelona (18 points), while teams like Arsenal, Inter Milan, and Atlético Madrid are also in strong positions. The race for the top eight is intense, as teams aim to avoid the playoff round and secure direct entry into the Round of 16.
Meanwhile, Manchester City, last season’s champions, find themselves in a disappointing 25th place with just 8 points. If they don’t secure a win tonight, they could face an early elimination.
At the bottom of the table, Young Boys and Slovan Bratislava remain winless after 7 matches, marking a disappointing campaign for them.
Teams Confirmed for the Round of 16
- Liverpool and Barcelona have already sealed their spots in the next round.
Teams Guaranteed at Least a Playoff Spot
- Arsenal, Aston Villa, Atalanta, Atlético Madrid, Bayern Munich, Brest, Celtic, Borussia Dortmund, Feyenoord, Inter Milan, Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, AC Milan, Monaco, and Real Madrid will all play in the knockout rounds, either directly or via the playoff.
Teams Eliminated from the Tournament
- Bologna, Red Star Belgrade, Girona, RB Leipzig, Salzburg, Slovan Bratislava, Sparta Prague, Sturm Graz, and Young Boys have been knocked out of the competition.
With 18 crucial matches kicking off at the same time, this final matchday is set to be one of the most thrilling nights in Champions League history!
