Liverpool and Barcelona have already secured their Champions League Round of 16 places, and Arsenal is close to joining them. Mikel Arteta‘s side needs only a point against Girona, but even a narrow loss might be enough to preserve their top-eight status.
Meanwhile, Manchester City sits in danger of an early exit, prompting Pep Guardiola to admit, “We have the last chance at home to Brugge and hopefully we can progress.” His team’s fate could hinge on a single goal in a crowded mid-table race.
Elsewhere, Bayern Munich may have to rely on a cascade of favorable results. Sporting director Max Eberl offered a succinct approach for overcoming the odds: “We have to win our game, that’s what we can influence.” Although Bayern has locked in a knockout berth, finishing in the top eight would grant them a Round of 16 bye.
At Liverpool, manager Arne Slot believes the advantage in seeding remains uncertain, saying, “We want to be top, but we have to wait and see if it’s an advantage.” That small note of caution underscores how the final standings could reshape who faces whom in March.
An eye on the top eight
Real Madrid, Juventus, and a handful of other heavyweights are chasing those coveted automatic spots. Slipping to ninth or below could force them into a playoff, meaning more mid-winter matches and higher risk.
The gap between eighth and 24th remains tight, so a dramatic final matchday is expected. In addition to footballing prestige, there’s money on the line. Merely reaching this phase guarantees around $20 million in participation fees, and finishing among the top eight brings an extra $2.2 million.
Each round offers further increases, with the eventual winner pocketing close to $21 million. For clubs that have already spent heavily on talent, or that need a financial boost to offset other costs, those figures are vital.
On Wednesday night, fans worldwide will tune in to see who squeaks into the top eight and who must slug through the playoffs. Some legendary clubs are a single misstep from disaster. Others, like Liverpool, can breathe a little easier.
