The reformatted and expanded 2024/25 Champions League was met with understandable skepticism, but it undoubtedly produced an impressive spectacle.
the New 36-team league stage It is drawing to a close and there are still fans to play for throughout the standings heading into Round 8, with a few teams certain of their fate as the doors close.
Some of the European giants are still unsure of their place in the knockout rounds, and the battle to finish in the top eight and avoid a two-legged play-off will be hotly contested during the final round of fixtures.
Below are the teams guaranteed to appear in the playoffs and those that have been eliminated.
Surprisingly, only two teams secured their place in the round of 16 in the new format UEFA Champions Leaguewith Barcelona In particular, Liverpool After they were higher than their competitors this year.
The Reds are the only team with a perfect record after seven matches in the league stage and have beaten the likes of Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, AC Milan and RB Leipzig with relatively little fanfare. Arne Slot's team is looking to get a well-earned break while others compete for a playoff run.
Barcelona started with a defeat to Monaco, but have since rallied to reel off six straight victories. A huge 4-1 win over Bayern Munich in the third round set them on their way Crazy and controversial 5-4 victory over Benfica Secure their place in the top eight. They could still beat Liverpool to first place depending on the results of the last round of matches.
Many are sure of their place in the knockout rounds, but few are sure whether they will make one of the eight teams heading straight to the last 16 or whether they will have to prepare for a play-off spot.
Arsenal Qualification to the last 16 is almost guaranteed barring a dramatic, high-scoring outburst against Girona in their final match, while a point would secure them. Inter Finishing in the top eight. Atletico Madrid and Milan The team is in strong positions, while it qualified for the European League final last season Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen They currently find themselves in the top eight.
Things are less clear for the European champions real madridwho have secured a place in the play-off, but will need services from elsewhere to automatically reach the round of 16. Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus They are in similar situations.
Celtic They have reached the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time since the 2012/13 season and will be content with qualifying for the playoffs, while Aston Villa They currently sit outside the top eight on their return to top European competition.
Brest She was the cheerful story of this class's competitor and she greatly outperformed in her debut, while her teammates French League 1 sides night and Monaco He performed better than French champion Paris Saint-Germain, who faces a battle to finish the league stage in the top 24.
Manchester City They have been a surprisingly poor performer this season and currently sit outside the knockout places. They face a tense duel with Club Brugge in their final match as they look to secure their place in the play-offs.
RB Leipzig They have been incredibly disappointing in Europe despite their impressive squad, although they were unlucky against Liverpool, Inter, Atletico, Juventus and Villa. The 2019/20 semi-finalists have already been eliminated.
Bologna and Girona They were beaten during their Champions League matches, failing to bring their heroic 2023/24 form to Europe's top tier. They can no longer reach the knockout stage alongside regular competitors Red Star Belgrade and Salzburg.
It has been a miserable European campaign for both the Swiss side Young Boys And the Slovak uniform Slavic Bratislava. Both failed to pick up a single point through their first seven matches, although the former has a chance to change that on the final day against Red Star.
