UEFA Champions League Matchday 8 is up today Wednesday 29 January with all matches slated for 2300hrs. The knockout phase play-offs are new to the competition in 2024/25. While the top eight sides in the league phase qualify automatically for the round of 16, the teams finishing in ninth to 24th place kick off the knockout stages. They compete in a two-legged knockout phase play-off to secure their path to the last 16.
Here is what to look out for in the knockout phase as the inaugural league phase of the UEFA Champions League reaches a dramatic conclusion.
Sporting CP vs Bologna
Sporting CP sits 23rd on the log with (10 points), while Bologna is placed 28th (5 points). Sporting CP win can still qualify them for the knockout phase while Bologna stands eliminated.
PSV v Liverpool FC
PSV is placed 19th on the table with (11 points) while Liverpool is 1st with (21 points). PSV can still qualify for the knockout phase if they win the match while Liverpool has already qualified for the round of 16.
Young Boys v Crvena Zvezda
As it stands: Young Boys at 36th position are last on the table with (0 points). Crvena Zvezda on the other hand ranks 32nd with only (3 points). Both Young Boys and Crvena Zvezda have been eliminated and thus the encounter is only but a formality.
Stuttgart v Paris Saint Germain
Stuttgart ranks at the 24th while PSG ranks 22nd although both are tied at (10 points). Both Stuttgart and Paris can still qualify for the knockout phase proving this to be a tough and highlighting match in the night.
Sturm Graz v Leipzig
As it stands, Sturm Graz 33rd and Leipzig 30th both share (3 points), and thus the two terms already stand eliminated no matter the outcome of the match.
Manchester City v Club Brugge
Pep Guardiola’s Man City are placed 25th with (8 points) while their visitors Club Brugge ranks 20th with (11 points). It will be a tough encounter as both the clubs can still qualify for the knockout phase.
Bayern Munich v Slovan Bratislava
As it stands, Bayern Munich sits 15th with (12 points) while Slovan Bratislava are 35th with (0 points). A win for Bayern München will confirm their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs while Slovan Bratislava has been eliminated.
Inter Milan v Monaco
Inter is in 4th position with (16 points) and has confirmed their place in the round of 16 while Monaco is 10th with (13 points) and can proceed to the round of 16 if they win or only maintain a slot in the knockout phase play-offs.
Borussia Dortmund v Shakhtar Donetsk
As it stands, Dortmund is 14th with (12 points). Shakhtar is 27th with only (7 points). Dortmund have confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs while Shakhtar can still qualify for the knockout phase in case they win the match.
Barcelona v Atalanta
Barcelona are 2nd with (18 points) while Atalanta are 7th with (14 points). Barcelona have qualified for the round of 16 while Atalanta has confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs.
Leverkusen v Sparta Praha
As it stands, Leverkusen sits 8th with (13 points) while Sparta Praha is 29th with (4 points). Leverkusen have confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs, Sparta Praha on the other hand have been eliminated.
Juventus v Benfica
Juventus ranks 17th with (12 points) and will host Benfica who is 21st with (10 points). Juventus have confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs. Benfica can still qualify for the knockout phase.
GNK Dinamo v AC Milan
As it stands, GNK Dinamo is placed 26th with (8 points) while Milan is 6th with (15 points). GNK Dinamo can still qualify for the knockout phase while Milan has confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs.
Salzburg v Atletico Madrid
Salzburg is 34th with (3 points) while Atletico is 5th with (15 points). While Salzburg have been eliminated, Atletico have confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs.
Lille v Feyenoord
As it stands, Lille is 12th with (13 points) and Feyenoord is 11th with (13 points). Both teams have confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs.
Aston Villa v Celtic
As it stands, Aston Villa ranks 9th with (13 points) and Celtic ranks 18th with (12 points). Both teams have confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs.
Girona v Arsenal Girona is 31st with (3 points) while Arsenal is 3rd with (16 points). Girona stand eliminated while Arsenal have confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs.
Brest v Real Madrid
As it stands, Brest is 13th with (13 points) while Real Madrid is 16th with (12 points). Both teams have confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs.
Teams finishing in ninth to 24th place discover their next opponents in the knockout phase play-off draw on Friday 31 January. Two-legged ties on 11/12 February and 18/19 February will determine who joins the league phase’s top eight in the round of 16. The draw for the round of 16, quarter-final, and semi-final match-ups will follow on Friday 21 February.
The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League final will take place at Munich’s Arena, München on 31 May 2025.
