UCL: Only Arsenal and Bayern have qualified for the Round of 16

If there were any matches that failed to deliver the thrill worthy of the Champions League, or if there was time for a second chance, we have now reached the stage where the idea behind the new format of Europe’s elite competition (this is its second edition) truly comes into full effect, with a single league table for all 36 participants. Because there is only one round left, and only Arsenal and Bayern are guaranteed places in the round of 16. Admittedly, Real Madrid and especially Liverpool are very close as well, with Liverpool hosting the Azerbaijani sensation Qarabag in the final round. Or, to put it another way: since only Eintracht Frankfurt, Slavia Prague, Villarreal and Kairat have mathematically lost their chances of reaching the knockout phase, as many as 30 of the 36 teams will have something to fight for in the final round!

Barca froze Slavia with four goals in below zero temperatures

Fifteen teams are already certain of a place in the knockout phase: Arsenal, Bayern, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Tottenham, PSG, Newcastle, Chelsea, Barcelona, Sporting, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta, Inter and Juventus. As a reminder—though it’s hard to imagine anyone doesn’t know this—the top eight qualify directly for the round of 16, while teams placed from ninth to 24th will compete in a playoff round in February. There, league position will play a decisive role in determining the pairings, with a slight assist from the draw.

Chelsea barely broke down the underdogs’ defence and kept their top-eight hopes alive

The number one impression is the total dominance of Premier League clubs. As many as five English teams will enter the final round in the Top 8 zone, and it is theoretically possible—though unlikely—that all six secure direct qualification for the round of 16. Goal difference will also play an important role, as it is the only relevant criterion if teams are level on points. Since Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle, currently sixth and seventh with 13 points each, are facing each other, this means that teams level on points with them but currently below the line still very much have a chance of finishing in the Top 8—such as Barcelona, who host Copenhagen, Manchester City, who will play at home against Galatasaray, or Atlético Madrid, who will welcome Bodo/Glimt…

Kane’s two goals were enough to send Bayern through to the round of 16

There is also plenty at stake in the battle to finish above 25th place. Let us recall that last season Dinamo Zagreb were not even able to reach the knockout round with 11 points, while this year some clubs are hoping that even nine points might be enough to sneak through. All matches of the final round will be played on Wednesday, January 28, starting at 23h, and the fixtures are: Monaco–Juventus, Ajax–Olympiacos, Arsenal–Kairat, Athletic Bilbao–Sporting, Atlético Madrid–Bodo/Glimt, Barcelona–Copenhagen, Bayer Leverkusen–Villarreal, Benfica–Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund–Inter, Club Brugge–Olympique Marseille, Eintracht Frankfurt–Tottenham, Liverpool–Qarabag, Manchester City–Galatasaray, Napoli–Chelsea, PSV–Bayern, Pafos–Slavia, PSG–Newcastle, and Union Saint-Gilloise–Atalanta.