by As the competition phase draws to a close, there is still a lot of shuffling that will happen in the Champions League game. Only Barcelona and Liverpool have been given their places in the top eight which will automatically see them through to the last 16, but plenty of teams will be looking for them. There is also an eye to keep on the bottom half of the table where Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are up against it and with a loss they could end up on the outside going into the knockout stages. With all matches starting at 3pm on Wednesday, January 29, the chaos will be on full display, but let’s take a look at what some of the notable teams will need to close out the league stage.
Liverpool
Table position: 1st
Points: 21
Matchday eight opponent: PSV
What is needed: The only team currently with a perfect seven wins from seven games, none have been able to slow down Arne Slot’s Reds in Champions League play. Facing PSV, Liverpool will be favored as they only need a draw to ensure they finish top of the table in the very first league stage and lock in the No. 1 seed for the knockout stages. From the dominance of Mohamed Salah to key contributions from the likes of Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez, Liverpool can never be considered out of a match and no one will want to face them in the last 16 where they have already secured their place. It can’t be a much better UCL slate for the Reds, but finishing things off on the right foot is crucial for momentum.
Barcelona
Table position: 2nd
Points: 18
Matchday eight opponent: Atalanta
What is needed: Hansi Flick’s men were given quite a tough challenge to close out UCL’s league stage at home when hosting Atalanta. Although their place in the top eight is already secured, Barcelona still want to win this clash because with a win and a loss to Liverpool, Barca can finish top of the table due to goal difference. The highest scoring team in Champions League play to date, Barcelona’s attack has been led by Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, putting crooked numbers past teams in their path. Atalanta has also been one of the best defensive sides, but stopping Barcelona is something that teams have not been able to do. In the final day’s only match with two sides currently in the top eight, there will be plenty of reasons to keep an eye on this.
Arsenal
Table position: 3rd
Points: 16
Matchday eight opponent: Girona
What is needed: With 16 points secured, the Gunners can secure a place in the top eight without a win, but earning a draw will at least see them secure a place straight into the last 16. Despite only allowing two goals in UCL Play, Arsenal have managed to lose one game and draw another, otherwise they would also be in the running for first place. That won’t matter when it’s all said and done, given that Mikel Arteta has at least achieved the goal of taking his team as high up the table as possible, even without Bukayo Saka. The knockouts will be where it gets real, but all you have to do is get a chance there.
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Table position: 4th
Points: 16
Matchday eight opponent: Monaco
What is needed: Like Arsenal, a win or draw and mutually secure their place in the top eight of the table. The matter if Monaco will also shoot for a win to try and maintain their own top-eight finish, as they are one of six teams on 13 points who could cause chaos on the final day. Inter turned UCL into clockwork, winning almost every match, 1-0. They have scored eight goals and allowed just one in seven games, but what is important of late is that Lautaro Martinez is back to his best. The Argentine striker has scored or assisted in six consecutive games and will be looked at heading to Monaco and finishing the job.
Milan
Table position: 6th
Points: 15
Matchday eight opponent: Dinamo Zagreb
What is needed: A rollercoaster of a campaign that started with Paulo Fonseca as manager and now sees Sergio Concukicao overseeing the team has not derailed Milan’s Champions League chances. Their defense has left a lot to be desired, but Christian Pulisic’s goals have ensured that as long as Milan win, they will progress to the knockouts as a top-eight team. With a draw they can also secure their place with some help, but that’s where their goal difference of only plus-four could make things tricky. Teams like Leverkusen, Aston Villa and Monaco can easily beat all that, and with so many teams on 13 points, there’s no reason to leave it to chance as they face a Zagreb side that is eliminated with a loss in the competition.
Bayern Munich
Table position: 15th
Points: 12
Matchday eight opponent: Slovan Bratislava
What is needed: Well, it’s clear that Bayern have to win, and unless they face Slovan Bratislava, they will, but this is a great view of the new UCL format. A team like Bayern would have easily finished the top two in their group, but after suffering a shock win against Feyenoord, Vincent Kompany’s men will struggle to get the top eight a berth straight into the round of 16, but with a big win and Help elsewhere, it is still possible to make it into the top eight on 16 points. All Bayern can do is manage what’s in front of them and finish as high as they can. Slovan is conceding more than three goals per game in UCL play, so there’s a good chance Bayern’s plus-six goal difference will increase significantly.
Real Madrid
Table position: 16th
Points: 12
Matchday eight opponent: Brest
What is needed: When Real Madrid struggle early in UCL play, the world has to watch out because they are at their most dangerous when it matters most. This team has not won five of the last 10 Champions League titles by accident and although they have a shot at the top eight with a win, it is more likely that Real Madrid will be in the play-off round as a side that no one wants to face. Kylian Mbappe has registered his first hat-trick for the club at the right time as he will be looked for any glory they can make happen this season. Los Blancos will not be worried despite their performances at this stage.
Juventus
Table position: 17th
Points: 12
Matchday eight opponent: Benfica
What is needed: Of the teams on 12 points out of 12, Juventus are perhaps the most unlikely to finish in the top eight due to their scoring woes. Randal Kolo Muani was brought in to address those issues, but he can’t get into the Champions League until the knockout stages because he’s already registered for PSG. Facing a Benfica side that also needs a win to even make the game on the podium, this will be anything but an easy match for Thiago Motta’s men who are already qualified but need help to progress.
Paris Saint Germain
Table position: 22nd
Points: 10
Matchday eight opponent: VFB Stuttgart
What is needed: PSG enjoyed a huge win over Manchester City, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of the woods yet. With just 10 points they are in control of their destiny, but can only guarantee making it to the knockout stages with a win. Stuttgart have been on a tear since their league stage sputtering, meaning this could be a fascinating fixture in Germany. The winner will make the knockouts, but the loser will need help from those around them. New signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also can’t get ahead of Luis Enrique until the knockout stages, so he will certainly pull for PSG to get the job done.
Man City
Table position: 25th
Points: Eight
Matchday eight opponent: Club Bruges
What is needed: The stakes couldn’t be higher for Pep Guardiola’s side. Manchester City were among the top contenders to win Champions League and they go to the table on the outside and looked at the table. The goal may be simple, but this is one side where execution has been an issue. If City beat Brugge, they are through to the next stage, and playing at home they will be expected to do just that, but the defense has collapsed even with three goals in this competition to drop points. If Brugge win they will also be in the knockout stages, something that will be on the minds of Christos Tzolis who will lead the attack at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. Pressure is all on the city.
