The reformatted and expanded 2024/25 Champions League was met with understandable skepticism but has undoubtedly produced an impressive spectacle.
of the new phase of the league with 36 teams is nearing its conclusion and there is plenty to play for across the standings heading into Game 8, with few teams certain of their fates as the shutters close.
Several European giants remain uncertain of their place in the knockout rounds and the bid to finish in the top eight and avoid a two-legged play-off will be hotly contested during the final leg of the fixture.
Here are the teams guaranteed to play in the knockouts and those who have been eliminated.
Surprisingly, only two teams have guaranteed their place in the last 16 of the new format. Champions Leaguewith Barcelona and, in particular, Liverpool being a cut above their competitors this year.
The Reds are the only team with a perfect record after seven games in the league stage and have beaten Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Milan and RB Leipzig with relatively little fanfare. Arne Slot's side will be looking forward to a well-earned break, while others are going through it in the play-off round.
Barcelona started with a loss in Monaco but have since rallied to produce six straight wins. A monumental 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the third leg set them on their way, with bonkers and controversial 5-4 triumph against Benfica securing their place in the top eight. They could still catch Liverpool in first place depending on the results of the last round of fixtures.
Many are assured of their place in the knockout rounds, but fewer are sure whether they will make up one of the eight teams going directly to the last 16 or whether they should prepare for a play-off battle.
Arsenal are almost guaranteed to reach the last 16 barring a dramatic and high-scoring strike against Girona in their last game, while a single point will ensure Inter a top-eight finish. Atletico Madrid AND Milan are in strong positions, while last season's finalists in the Europa League Atalanta AND Bayer Leverkusen are currently in the top eight.
Things are less clear for the reigning European champions Real Madridwho are guaranteed a place in the play-offs but will need favors from elsewhere to automatically reach the last 16. Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund AND Juventus are in similar positions.
Celtic have reached the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time since the 2012/13 season and will be satisfied with an exit to the play-offs, while Aston Villa are currently just outside the top eight on their return to Europe's premier competition.
Brest have been the sensational story of this term's competition and massively outperformed in their debut, while fellow League 1 SIDES Lille AND Monaco have performed better than French champions Paris Saint-Germain, who face a fight to finish the league stage in the top 24.
Manchester City have been the underdogs this season and are currently outside the relegation spots. They face a nervy duel with Club Brugge in their last outing as they look to secure their place in the play-offs.
RB Leipzig have been extremely poor in Europe despite their impressive squad, although they have had the misfortune of facing Liverpool, Inter, Atletico, Juventus and Villa. The semi-finalists of the 2019/20 season have already been eliminated.
Bologna AND Girona have been beaten during their Champions League bows, failing to bring their heroic 2023/24 form to Europe's highest level. They can no longer enter the knockout phase alongside regular players Red Star of Belgrade AND Salzburg.
It has been a miserable European campaign for both Swiss sides Young boys and Slovak clothing Slavic Bratislava. Both have failed to secure a single point in their opening seven matches, although the former have a chance to change that on the final day against Red Star.