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UEFA Champions League Matchday 8: What to look out for

football29 January 2025 08:30
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UEFA Champions League Matchday 8: What to look out for Knockout phase places are up for grabs as the inaugural league phase of the UEFA Champions League reaches a dramatic conclusion.

UEFA.com takes a look at the key storylines from every fixture as the final league phase table is decided. All matches kick off at 22:00 CAT and live on SuperSport.

Sporting CP v Bologna
As it stands: Sporting CP 23rd (10 points), Bologna 28th (5 points) Sporting CP can still qualify for the knockout phase; Bologna have been eliminated.

Bologna were eliminated despite their impressive 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 7 but Sporting can still reach the knockout phase, captain Morten Hjulmand telling UEFA.com: "We have to win [vs Bologna]. Our goal is to keep playing in the Champions League, so we have to win the game."

Did you know? This is the fifth meeting between Sporting CP and Bologna in UEFA competition, but the first since the turn of the century. The Italian side have the slightly better record (W2 D1 L1) after winning the most recent encounters in 1998.

PSV v Liverpool
As it stands: PSV 19th (11 points), Liverpool 1st (21 points) PSV can still qualify for the knockout phase; Liverpool have qualified for the round of 16.

Following a dramatic 3-2 victory at Crvena Zvezda on Matchday 7, PSV's hopes of knockout stage football are still alive. They end their league phase campaign by hosting flawless Liverpool, who are looking for an eighth win from eight to seal first place. "We want to be top, but we have to wait and see if it's an advantage," warned Reds coach Arne Slot.

Did you know? Liverpool are unbeaten (W5 D1) in six meetings with PSV in UEFA competition. Their last and only defeat against Dutch opponents came in a 5-1 loss to Ajax back in 1966.

Young Boys v Crvena Zvezda
As it stands: Young Boys 36th (0 points), Crvena Zvezda 32nd (3 points) Young Boys and Crvena Zvezda have been eliminated.

There is only pride at stake for Young Boys and Crvena Zvezda, with both sides' eliminations confirmed. "Playing in the Champions League is undoubtedly an honour and we strive to perform at our best," Crvena Zvezda midfielder Mirko Ivanić told UEFA.com. "Despite the elimination, we will try to leave the best possible impression."

Did you know? This is the seventh match between Young Boys and Crvena Zvezda in UEFA competition, with each team taking one win, four draws, and one loss from the previous six.

Stuttgart v Paris
As it stands: Stuttgart 24th (10 points), Paris 22nd (10 points) Stuttgart and Paris can still qualify for the knockout phase.

With these sides level on points, it is all to play for as Stuttgart and Paris attempt to seal a place in the knockout phase on the final matchday. "There's still one more game to play," said Paris midfielder Vitinha after the thrilling 4-2 win over Man City. "Like always, we're confident we can win, that we can produce a great match, and that we can go through."

Did you know? This is Paris' 33rd game against German opposition in UEFA competition. They boast a winning record (W15 D4 L13), but fell to a 1-0 defeat against Bayern on Matchday 5.

Sturm Graz v Leipzig
As it stands: Sturm Graz 33rd (3 points), Leipzig 30th (3 points) Sturm Graz and Leipzig have been eliminated.

Winning a second game of the league phase will be the aim for Sturm and Leipzig, with both teams' elimination already confirmed. The visitors will be encouraged by their Matchday 7 victory over Sporting CP, forward Yussuf Poulsen telling UEFA.com: "We're no longer able to qualify for the next round in the Champions League, but you still saw a team that wanted, with everything they've got, to win this game. That shows the character of this team."

Did you know? Leipzig have never beaten an Austrian club in UEFA competition, while Sturm Graz earned their last – and only – win over a German side back in 1983.

Man City v Club Brugge
As it stands: Man City 25th (8 points), Club Brugge 20th (11 points) Man City and Club Brugge can still qualify for the knockout phase.

Despite going four league phase games without a win, City remain in contention to qualify along with Club Brugge, who earned a 0-0 draw with Juventus on Matchday 7. "We have the last chance at home to Brugge and hopefully we can progress," said City coach Pep Guardiola. "It's always a difficult tie, this is the reality, we haven't got enough points and we have to do what we have to do."

Did you know? Manchester City overcame Club Brugge twice in Group A of the 2021/22 Champions League, scoring nine goals across the two fixtures.

Bayern Munich v Slovan Bratislava
As it stands: Bayern Munich 15th (12 points), Slovan Bratislava 35th (0 points) Bayern München have confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs; Slovan Bratislava have been eliminated.

Bayern secured knockout football despite a 3-0 reverse at Feyenoord on Matchday 7, while Slovan are still chasing their first points of the league phase after a seventh straight loss to Stuttgart. "I'm convinced we can show a good reaction," insisted Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich. "We've just made too many mistakes. It's not like opponents have outplayed us."

Did you know? Bayern are undefeated in four UEFA competition contests with Slovakian clubs (W3 D1), but the last of those encounters was in 1988.

Inter v Monaco
As it stands: Inter 4th (16 points), Monaco 10th (13 points) Inter and Monaco have confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs.

With Matchday 7 victories over Sparta Praha and Aston Villa respectively, both Inter and Monaco are guaranteed at least a place in the knockout phase play-offs. "We have 16 points from seven matches and have conceded just one goal despite playing against really strong sides," beamed Inter coach Simone Inzaghi. "I am really satisfied with this."

Did you know? Inter have won three of their four matches against Monaco in UEFA competition.

Borussia Dortmund v Shakhtar
As it stands: Dortmund 14th (12 points), Shakhtar 27th (7 points) Dortmund have confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs; Shakhtar can still qualify for the knockout phase.

Dortmund have lost their last two Champions League games, but their four victories overall have ensured at least a knockout phase play-off spot. Shakhtar, meanwhile, got their second win of the campaign by convincingly beating Brest 2-0 on Matchday 7 to keep their hopes of qualification alive.

Did you know? Dortmund are undefeated in four (W3 D1) UEFA competition matches against Shakhtar, including a 5-2 aggregate triumph in the round of 16 en route to the 2013 Champions League final.

Barcelona v Atalanta
As it stands: Barcelona 2nd (18 points), Atalanta 7th (14 points) Barcelona have qualified for the round of 16; Atalanta have confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs.

Barça's astonishing success at Benfica – the first ever 5-4 scoreline in the Champions League (group stage to final) – sealed their place in the last 16 and they now face an Atalanta side who have scored 15 goals in their last four league phase games. "There will be plenty of teams [with plenty to play for] on the last matchday," said La Dea midfielder Mario Pašalić. "We want to try and win in Barcelona."

Did you know? This is Barcelona's 67th UEFA competition fixture against Italian opponents. The Catalan club hold an impressive record (W32 D21 L13), but have won just one of their last four.

Leverkusen v Sparta Praha
As it stands: Leverkusen 8th (13 points) vs Sparta Praha 29th (4 points) Leverkusen have confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs; Sparta Praha have been eliminated.

Xabi Alonso's team reached the knockout phase on Matchday 7 but they were left reeling from a late 2-1 defeat at Atleti. Defender Alejandro Grimaldo insists they have things to work on ahead of Sparta's visit, saying: "We showed that if we don't mature and improve certain aspects, we're not going to be able to win the Champions League – and we want to dream of that. We want to go far and we have to learn from those errors quickly."

Did you know? Leverkusen emerged 1-0 winners in the only previous UEFA competition meeting between these sides.

Juventus v Benfica
As it stands: Juventus 17th (12 points) vs Benfica 21st (10 points) Juventus have confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs; Benfica can still qualify for the knockout phase.

Benfica will hope to join their hosts in the knockout phase but they will need to clear their heads after that remarkable late twist against Barcelona to do so. "Benfica are a team that can beat any team in the Champions League," said midfielder Florentino. "If we're at our best and at the top of our abilities, we can compete with anyone. We have to move on and learn from our mistakes."

Did you know? Benfica have won all four previous meetings between these teams in UEFA competition.

GNK Dinamo v Milan
As it stands: GNK Dinamo 26th (8 points) vs Milan 6th (15 points) GNK Dinamo can still qualify for the knockout phase; Milan have confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs.

Milan are aiming for a round of 16 berth but GNK Dinamo are eyeing a major scalp as they bid to preserve their hopes of knockout phase football. Samy Mmaee is warning the Rossoneri that the Zagreb outfit fancy their chances. "You play against teams that are the top level in the world, and teams that you can beat where it's more achievable," he said. "You never know who's going to qualify. Also, the big teams have to do their job – if they don't then a lot of them are in trouble."

Did you know? This is the fifth UEFA competition meeting between these clubs. Milan, victorious in all four previous encounters, have scored 13 goals to GNK Dinamo's two in the series.

Salzburg v Atleti
As it stands: Salzburg 34th (3 points) vs Atleti 5th (15 points) Salzburg have been eliminated; Atleti have confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs.

Atleti's gutsy success against Leverkusen on Matchday 7 means they head to Austria knowing a round of 16 berth is up for grabs. Two-goal hero Julián Alvarez summed up how Diego Simeone's men have hauled themselves into such a promising position. "It's a bit of everything – sacrifice, believing to the end, working as a team, humility," he said. "We've been doing it all this time and the whole team, not just those who start, are very important."

Did you know? Atleti defeated Salzburg twice in Group A of the 2019/20 Champions League, including a 2-0 win at Stadion Salzburg.

Lille v Feyenoord
As it stands: Lille 12th (13 points) vs Feyenoord 11th (13 points) Both teams have confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs.

These sides start Matchday 8 level on points with eight-placed Leverkusen so the stakes are high in northern France. Lille stood toe to toe with Liverpool last time out while Feyenoord claimed a significant scalp by sinking Bayern 3-0, leaving two-goal striker Santiago Giménez buoyant. "We've played against big teams like Manchester City, Bayern and Benfica, and we've picked up points in every game," he noted. "We will keep pushing for more."

Did you know? Lille are yet to win against a Dutch club in UEFA competition after six attempts (D1 L5).

Aston Villa v Celtic
As it stands: Aston Villa 9th (13 points) vs Celtic 18th (12 points) Both teams have confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs.

There were contrasting emotions for this duo on Matchday 7 as Villa slipped out of the top eight with defeat in Monaco while Celtic overcame Young Boys to book knockout phase football. Villa manager Unai Emery was philosophical though, saying: "We started the Champions League not being favourites to finish in the top eight, and we still aren't." However, Brendan Rodgers was delighted with his charges. "There's no doubt the players have progressed and really matured," said the Celtic coach. "A little bit of history is created; we haven't been in the knockout stages for a long time."

Did you know? Aston Villa have won their two previous meetings with Scottish sides in UEFA competition, hitting eight unanswered goals past Hibernian across two fixtures in August 2023.

Girona v Arsenal
As it stands: Girona 31st (3 points) vs Arsenal 3rd (16 points) Girona have been eliminated; Arsenal have confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs.

Arsenal are close to rubber-stamping direct entry to the round of 16 thanks to their 3-0 victory over GNK Dinamo last time out and manager Mikel Arteta was delighted with their situation following that game. "I'm very happy overall, it's a massive step forward tonight," he said. "It puts us in a really strong position to play the last game in Girona. We will go to Girona and try to win the game."

Did you know? Girona's first meeting with an English club in UEFA competition came in the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool on Matchday 6.

Brest v Real Madrid
As it stands: Brest 13th (13 points) vs Real Madrid 16th (12 points) Both teams have confirmed their place in the round of 16 or the knockout phase play-offs.

Few would have predicted the French debutants would be sitting above the 15-time winners come the final matchday but Eric Roy is not resting on his laurels, even if Madrid flexed their muscles with an impressive 5-1 win over Salzburg on Matchday 7. "We've already had a successful run in the competition but it's going to be difficult to finish in the top eight," said the Brest coach. "We needed a near-perfect run. I'm now looking forward to the reception when we face Real Madrid."

Did you know? This is Real Madrid's 38th fixture with French sides in UEFA competition. Despite their strong record (W20 D7 L10), they were beaten by Lille earlier in the league phase.

Further ahead
Teams finishing in ninth to 24th place discover their next opponents in the knockout phase play-off draw on Friday 31 January. Two-legged ties on 11/12 February and 18/19 February will determine who joins the league phase's top eight in the round of 16. The draw for the round of 16, quarter-final, and semi-final match-ups will follow on Friday 21 February.

Where is the 2025 UEFA Champions League final being played? The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League final will take place at Munich's Fußball Arena München on 31 May 2025.

© Uefa.com

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