Champions League 2024/25: Final round defines qualifiers, decisive matches, and clashes between European football giants Por Thiago Lemos
6 min de leitura
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The 2024/25 Champions League reaches its most critical moment with the final round of the league phase taking place this Wednesday at 5 PM (Brasília time). With 18 simultaneous matches, the battle for spots in the Round of 16 and the playoffs promises an evening of intense emotions, major clashes, and dramatic decisions for some of Europe’s biggest football clubs.
Liverpool and Barcelona have already secured direct qualification, but the race for the remaining positions is still open, with traditional powerhouses like Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain still fighting for a place in the knockout phase. With a new tournament format, the league phase has brought a higher level of competition, making this final round a spectacle on its own.
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The highlight of the round is the classic encounters and direct confrontations that will determine the fate of many teams. Manchester City, the 2022/23 Champions League winners, play for their survival against Club Brugge. Real Madrid, the record 14-time champions, need to beat Brest to secure direct qualification. Bayern Munich, a team that usually advances comfortably, faces a crucial match to avoid an early exit.
18 games in one night ????
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 29, 2025
Everything to play for in the final round ????#UCL pic.twitter.com/6Xdbft2jxR
Liverpool and Barcelona already through but still motivated for the final round
Liverpool stands out as the best team in the league phase. With 21 points from seven games and a 100% winning record, Jürgen Klopp’s side has established itself as one of the favorites for the title. With Salah in top form and a solid defense, the English club has secured early qualification but still has objectives in the final round: maintaining the overall lead and securing advantages for the Round of 16 draw.
Barcelona, with 18 points, is also safely through but aims to consolidate its position among the top teams. After an inconsistent start, the Catalan side found their rhythm and played one of the most thrilling matches of the tournament, defeating Benfica 5-4. Coach Xavi Hernández plans to rotate the squad but still wants to keep the team competitive.
Manchester City faces a must-win match against Club Brugge
Manchester City, one of the tournament favorites before it started, is on the verge of a shocking elimination. With only eight points, Pep Guardiola’s team desperately needs a win against Club Brugge to stay alive. A draw would favor the Belgian side, putting the English club in a dangerous situation.
Guardiola will have to deal with key absences, and City’s defense has been unstable in recent matches. The game against Brugge is a true final for the Citizens, who cannot afford to slip up.
Real Madrid fights for direct qualification against Brest
Another European giant still uncertain about its knockout stage status is Real Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti’s squad must win away against Brest and rely on favorable results elsewhere to secure direct qualification to the Round of 16. Otherwise, they will have to go through the playoffs.
Real Madrid has struggled defensively but relies on its attack to secure the needed result. Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham are the key players expected to lead the Spanish club to victory in this crucial fixture.
Bayern Munich and PSG in must-win situations
Bayern Munich, traditionally one of the most consistent teams in the Champions League, finds itself in an unusual situation this season. Sitting in 15th place with 12 points, the German club risks falling into the playoff zone if they don’t win their final match. Stuttgart, currently with 10 points, could surpass them depending on other results.
PSG, on the other hand, faces Stuttgart in a direct clash that could either secure the French club’s qualification or put them at risk of elimination. With a star-studded squad, Paris Saint-Germain must win to avoid relying on other results and to prevent an embarrassing early exit.
Other crucial matches in the final round
- Inter Milan vs. Arsenal – Both teams are already qualified but battle for a better ranking in the table.
- Milan vs. Atlético Madrid – A direct showdown for a top spot in the standings.
- Monaco vs. Aston Villa – Both sides are looking to secure historic playoff qualification.
Teams already eliminated and their impact on the final round
Some teams no longer have a chance to qualify but could still influence the standings by facing teams still in the hunt for a spot.
- Bologna
- Sparta Prague
- RB Leipzig
- Girona
- Red Star Belgrade
- Sturm Graz
- RB Salzburg
- Slovan Bratislava
- Young Boys
Among them, Slovan Bratislava and Young Boys have had the worst campaigns, failing to earn a single point. However, they could play spoiler roles for teams still fighting for qualification.
Impact of the new format and increased competitiveness
The 2024/25 Champions League introduced a new format, replacing the traditional group stage with a single league featuring 36 teams. Each team plays eight matches, with the top eight advancing directly to the Round of 16. Meanwhile, teams finishing between 9th and 24th place must go through the playoffs to secure their spots in the knockout rounds.
This new format has significantly increased competition, leading to more unpredictable outcomes. Unlike previous years, where some groups were decided early, every point now matters until the very end of the league phase.
Expectations for the night of decisive matches
- Who will secure direct qualification for the Round of 16? Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are still fighting for a guaranteed spot.
- Can Manchester City avoid a shocking early exit? A slip-up against Club Brugge could lead to their elimination.
- Will we see any surprises? The competitiveness of this new format increases the chances of unexpected results.
With simultaneous matches and unpredictable scenarios, the final round promises to be one of the most thrilling moments of the 2024/25 Champions League. All eyes will be on Europe as the continent’s best clubs determine their fate in pursuit of the ultimate club football glory.
