The penultimate round of the Champions League league phase concluded on Wednesday with Arsenal and Bayern Munich cementing their status as Europe’s elite. Both clubs have officially secured direct qualification to the Round of 16, while 13 other giants, including Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Manchester City, have guaranteed their presence in the knockout stages.
The Dominance of Arsenal and Bayern
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal remains the team to beat, maintaining a perfect record with 21 points after their 3-1 victory over Inter Milan. Bayern Munich follows closely in second place with 18 points, spearheaded by Harry Kane’s incredible form.
With only one round remaining, neither club can be caught by 13th-placed Barcelona, ensuring they will skip the grueling playoff round and head straight into the last 16.
13 Giants Secure Knockout Football
While the battle for the top eight remains fierce, 13 teams have already done enough to ensure they will play European football in February, at least in the playoff round (9th to 24th place). The confirmed teams are:
- Premier League: Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle, Chelsea, Manchester City.
- La Liga: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid.
- Other Leagues: PSG, Sporting CP, Atalanta, Inter Milan, Juventus.
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Heartbreak and Eliminations
On the other end of the table, the dream is over for four clubs. Eintracht Frankfurt, Slavia Prague, Kairat Almaty, and Villarreal have been officially eliminated and will not progress to the playoffs.
What’s at Stake in the Final Round?
Although Arsenal and Bayern are through, the final round next week remains crucial. Finishing as high as possible in the top eight provides a significant advantage: the right to play the second leg of the knockout ties at home until the semi-finals.
Wilson Gaspar is a football analyst covering the UEFA Champions League, focusing on match previews, tactical reviews, and the performance of Europe’s top clubs throughout the competition.
