Champions League: This is how the dramatic premier class showdown works

Anyone who wants to watch the last matchday of the Champions League in the conference needs to have good nerves. Because there was rarely so much football at once and in the premier class. When 18 games kick off at the same time on Wednesday at 9 p.m. (DAZN), the top league will experience a premiere. The eighth and final group game day not only brings five German games, but also promises excitement until the last minute.

For the first time this season, the Champions League will take place in a new format with a total of 36 teams. Each team plays eight preliminary round games and a common table is formed. The best eight move straight into the round of 16, while 16 other teams play in playoffs to advance. The worst twelve teams are eliminated straight away.

Not every club can go into the special football evening as relaxed as Liverpool FC and FC Barcelona. After strong performances, the two clubs qualified directly for the round of 16. Many other top clubs have to tremble. The former top favorite and winner of 2023 Manchester City is even at risk of missing the playoffs.

Definitely champions Bayer Leverkusen. The Werkself are in eighth place after seven match days and therefore have direct entry into the round of 16 in their own hands. A home win against the outsiders Sparta Prague, who have already been eliminated, should be a prerequisite for defending this place.

Dangerous for Bayer: Aston Villa, AS Monaco, Feyenoord Rotterdam, OSC Lille and Stade Brest also have 13 points like Leverkusen. This means that coach Xabi Alonso’s team could still be overtaken even if they win if other teams win higher. A clear success of its own would therefore be particularly important for Leverkusen.

Germany’s top clubs are dependent on outside help in order to make it straight into the round of 16. Both BVB and Munich have twelve points after four wins and three defeats. Dortmund currently has a goal difference that is two goals better.

The 2024 Champions League finalists welcome outsiders Donetsk, Bayern play against the pointless guests from Slovan Bratislava. A playoff duel with VfB Stuttgart is conceivable and possible for both clubs, because from the knockout round there are no longer any national restrictions.

This is possible and not even unlikely. It’s not just about placing in the top eight and the best 24 – but also about the starting position for the tournament bracket. FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund could end up in ninth to twelfth place with their own successes. For example, there could be an early clash with the previously weak top clubs Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain.

VfB Stuttgart and PSG are level on points before the preliminary round final. A draw could be the result that keeps both clubs relatively secure in the top 24. PSG would definitely be through with a draw, VfB would be 99 percent ahead. In this case, Stuttgart could only be eliminated if Dinamo Zagreb wins by at least seven goals against former European Cup winners AC Milan.

Man City with star coach Pep Guardiola. The English champions, who were considered top favorites before the season, have had a messed up international season so far and suffered heavy defeats at Sporting Lisbon (1:4), Juventus Turin (0:2) and Paris Saint-Germain (2:4 ).

An early knockout test awaits Erling Haaland’s team in the home game against FC Brugge. If they win against the Belgian outsiders, City will securely secure their place in the playoffs. If there is a draw or a defeat, the premier class season will definitely end early.

The additional round will take place next month. The eight playoff first legs will take place on February 11th and 12th and the second legs on February 18th and 19th. The eight best clubs in the group stage have these match days off.

The round of 16, which will be drawn on February 21st, will continue in March (4th/5th and 11th/12th). Unlike in previous years, there will be no further draws afterwards due to the fixed tournament tree. The final will take place on May 31st in Munich.