The final round of the Champions League league phase is upon us, promising a night of high-stakes drama, unforgettable matchups, and endless speculation. As all 36 competing teams take the pitch at the same time (20:00 GMT), the outcomes of these 18 games will shape the play off phase of Europe’s elite competition.
Champions League Last Round – What’s at Stake?
Here’s the breakdown of the stakes:
- Top Eight: Teams finishing in the top eight secure automatic qualification for the Round of 16.
- 9th to 24th Place: These teams enter a two-leg play-off round in February.
- Eliminations: The bottom nine teams are already out of the competition.
While Liverpool and Barcelona have secured their spots in the top eight, the rest of the pack is separated by razor-thin margins. The tightest battle is between 7th and 18th places, where just two points separate the teams.
Manchester City, the reigning champions, face the unthinkable – potential elimination unless they secure a win. Here’s a breakdown of some of the must-watch games and why they matter.
Champions League Last Round – Key Matches to Watch
Manchester City vs. Club Brugge
- Why it Matters: City are teetering on the brink, sitting in 25th place. A win at the Etihad Stadium will see them through to the play-offs, but anything less would eliminate Pep Guardiola’s side.
- The Stakes for Brugge: Unbeaten in their last 20 matches, Club Brugge need a draw to secure their play-off spot.
Can Guardiola’s men rediscover their form, or will this mark the end of their European campaign?
Brest vs. Real Madrid
- Why it’s Unique: Brest, the competition’s underdog, have defied all expectations to sit above Real Madrid in the standings. This tiny French club with no big stars is vying for a top-eight finish against the 15-time champions.
- David vs. Goliath: Playing at a borrowed stadium in Guingamp, can Brest continue their Cinderella story?
Stuttgart vs. Paris Saint-Germain
- What’s on the Line: Both teams are level on points and identical records. A win will likely eliminate the loser, while a draw might not suffice for either side.
- Team Forms: While PSG dominate Ligue 1, they’ve struggled in Europe. Stuttgart, a Bundesliga surprise package, aims to capitalize on home advantage.
Juventus vs. Benfica
- Slim Odds: Juventus must win and hope for multiple results to go their way for a top-eight finish. Benfica, on the other hand, need a result to avoid elimination.
- History in Turin: Benfica has had success at Juventus’ home ground in the past—can they pull off another upset?
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Sparta Prague
- Automatic Qualification at Stake: Eighth-placed Leverkusen must win to secure automatic Round of 16 entry. However, their European struggles make this a compelling fixture.
- Avoiding the Play-offs: Both teams will want to sidestep a tricky play-off round that could include the likes of PSG and Bayern Munich.
Barcelona vs. Atalanta
- Entertaining Football Guaranteed: Barcelona’s attacking prowess and Atalanta’s fearless play promise goals galore. Both teams are still fighting for key placements.
Other Notable Matches
- Bayern Munich vs. Slovan Bratislava: Bayern will look for a dominant win to sneak into the top eight, depending on other results.
- Aston Villa vs. Celtic: Dubbed the “Battle of Britain,” this match sees both sides vying for a play-off spot.
- PSV vs. Liverpool: While Liverpool are guaranteed a top-eight finish, PSV need a win and other results to go their way to join them.
The Bigger Picture
With the Champions League’s revamped format this season, the stakes have never been higher. Teams now fight harder for placement, as the play-off round looms large for those outside the top eight ahead of Champions League last round.
From Manchester City’s potential downfall to Brest’s fairy tale and Juventus’ slim hopes, this round offers a story for every fan. So, grab your snacks, tune in, and prepare for one of the most dramatic nights in Champions League history.
Fixtures for the Champions League Last Round
Here is the complete list of fixtures for the Champions League last round of the league phase. All matches will be played at the same time: 20:00 GMT Get ready for a thrilling night of football action!
| Fixture | Teams |
|---|---|
| Brest vs. Real Madrid | A battle between underdogs and giants. |
| Manchester City vs. Club Brugge | Can City secure their play-off spot? |
| Stuttgart vs. Paris Saint-Germain | Winner likely advances, loser exits. |
| Juventus vs. Benfica | High stakes for both teams in Turin. |
| Bayer Leverkusen vs. Sparta Prague | Top-eight qualification on the line. |
| Aston Villa vs. Celtic | “Battle of Britain” showdown. |
| Barcelona vs. Atalanta | Expect a high-scoring thriller. |
| Bayern Munich vs. Slovan Bratislava | Bayern seek a dominant win at home. |
| Girona vs. Arsenal | Arsenal aim to solidify top placement. |
| PSV vs. Liverpool | Liverpool seek perfection in group. |
| Borussia Dortmund vs. Shakhtar Donetsk | Dortmund aim to stay in contention. |
| Dinamo Zagreb vs. Milan | Milan push for progression. |
| Red Bull Salzburg vs. Atletico Madrid | Atletico look to maintain momentum. |
| Inter vs. Monaco | Crucial clash for both sides. |
| Lille vs. Feyenoord | Tense matchup with much at stake. |
| Sturm Graz vs. RB Leipzig | Leipzig look to dominate. |
| Sporting vs. Bologna | Sporting hope for a decisive victory. |
| Young Boys vs. Red Star Belgrade | A last stand for both teams. |
Where to Watch the Champions League Last Round
You can catch all the action of the Champions League last round on Setanta Sports in Georgian and Moldovan coverage. Visit setantasports.com to stream the matches live.
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