Liverpool lead way, Barcelona contenders, Real Madrid set for play-offs, City at risk: Champions League talking points
The Champions League has returned in January and it's getting quite exciting
The Champions League has returned, a few weeks earlier than usual, and it has been quite fun. Whatever you may think of the competition’s new format, it has produced some interesting storylines and with the first phase almost complete, there is plenty to talk about.
After 18 fixtures played on Tuesday and Wednesday, the next round is beginning to look a little clearer – although the convoluted nature of the competition means it will also need some explaining. So here’s a look at that, plus some of the big talking points from this week’s games…
Liverpool still flawless… but could face tough draw
Liverpool look set to finish in top spot after beating Lille 2-1 on Tuesday night, as a 50th European goal for Mohamed Salah as a Reds player and another from Harvey Elliott sealed victory at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s side conceded in the competition for the first time since September, but still came through with all three points and need just a draw away to PSV next week to secure first place in the league phase. A win in Eindhoven would see the Reds advance with a 100 per cent record to the last 16.
With the top eight teams progressing automatically to the last 16, Liverpool will face the winner of a play-off in that round and as things stand, the Reds could meet Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the first knockout round. Harsh.
Barcelona bag big comeback win… are they contenders?
Barcelona have not won the Champions League since 2015 but their coach, Hansi Flick, led Bayern Munich to the title in 2020 and the German is making his mark at the Catalan club.
On Tuesday night, Barça found themselves 3-1 and 4-2 down to Benfica, but mounted a late comeback in Lisbon and won an epic encounter 5-4 thanks to Raphinha’s breakaway goal deep in added time at the Estádio da Luz.
Barça are in second place and could even finish first, although Liverpool need only a point to seal top spot. Up next for Flick’s side is Atalanta, 5-0 winners over Sturm Graz on Tuesday. With seven games played, Barcelona have scored 26 goals, which is at least seven more than anbody else in the competition. Title contenders?
Real Madrid set for play-offs despite big win
Real Madrid have never not made it out of the first phase in the Champions League and Los Blancos are guaranteed a place in the final 24 after thrashing RB Salzburg 5-1 on Wednesday, but a top-eight finish – and automatic passage to the last 16 – looks unlikely for the 15-time winners.
Rodrygo and Vinícius Júnior scored two apiece at the Santiago Bernabéu, with the latter reaching 100 goals for the club, and Kylian Mbappé was also on target in a big win for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
But Madrid are in 16th place ahead of the their final fixture away to Brest next week and even though Los Blancos are just a point off Bayer Levekusen in eighth, they would need to leapfrog eight teams in order to advance directly to the last 16. And that’s a tall order, even for a club that has made this competition their own.
Could Manchester City be knocked out?
Manchester City’s slump continues and Wednesday night’s 4-2 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain leaves the 2023 treble winners outside the top 24 places, which would have been unthinkable at the beginning of the season.
With two wins, two draws and three defeats, City have picked up just eight points from their seven games and were well beaten by PSG, despite going two goals up at the Parc des Princes.
Pep Guardiola’s side remain in control of their destiny, with a win at home to Club Brugge next week enough to seal a place in the play-off rounds. But the Belgians are also playing for their future in the competition and it could be a nervy night at the Etihad.
A night of high drama awaits
This new Champions League certainly has its flaws, with more matches not necessarily producing better games and the system somewhat chaotic as everyone plays different teams and only once, instead of home and away in the previous format.
But next Wednesday promises to be a night of high drama as 18 fixtures all take place simultaneously, with something on the line in 16 of those and much still to play for as a host of clubs look to seal qualification for the last 16 or a place in the play-offs.
It will be like watching the final day of the season, but with 18 games on at once instead of 10 and with the majority of teams involved having something still to play for. Whatever your thoughts on the format so far, it will certainly make for an exciting evening of football.