In the new Champions League format, a large number of the decisions will not be made until the final matchday of the preliminary round – to be played next Wednesday (9 p.m.). For a handful of teams, it is already clear whether or how things will continue.
Instead of the previous format of eight groups of four, the Champions League has been known to take place in a new mode since the current season, which now uses a league table to decide who will advance and who will be eliminated. In eight preliminary round matches, the 36 participants have been collecting points for as many as seven matchdays in order to achieve one of the coveted top eight places.
Only these enable direct qualification for the round of 16, while the teams in places 9 to 24 compete in play-off duels with first and second legs for the other eight places for the round of the final 16 teams. The clubs in positions 25 to 36 are eliminated completely, a “relegation” to the Europa League is no longer possible.
Showdown on January 29
Next Wednesday, January 29, will see the showdown in the biggest competition in European club football. The final matchday 8 will then kick off at 9 p.m., with all teams in action at the same time. 18 matches will therefore be played at the same time, which means that the composition of the round of 16 and play-off pairings could change by the minute.
For a few teams, however, it will be clear after just seven matches whether their European journey will continue after this – or whether they can now focus on the league and cup. An overview.
Two teams are sure to reach the last 16, 16 in the play-offs
Only two teams can plan for the round of 16 with certainty. League leaders Liverpool, who are still unbeaten, and Barcelona, who have 18 out of a possible 21 points, cannot be caught by the competition and knocked out of the top 8. They are guaranteed to continue in the Champions League in the round of 16 at the beginning of March.
