Can Man City avoid embarrassing shock, Liverpool's Dutch connection and will Ruben Amorim's hard work be undone... SIX talking points ahead of the final round of Champions League League Phase action
Can Man City avoid embarrassing shock, Liverpool's Dutch connection and will Ruben Amorim's hard work be undone... SIX talking points ahead of the final round of Champions League League Phase action
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Grab the snacks, relax on the sofa and get yourself prepared for an unprecedented night of European action. The Champions League League Phase concludes this evening and there are 18 games to tuck in to. The new 36-team format for Europe's elite club competition caused consternation among many when it was launched, but there have been few nights in recent history with as much jeopardy riding on them as tonight.
![[Liverpool are one of only two teams who have automatically qualified for the last-16 stage]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/13/94636629-14337243-image-a-23_1738158336756.jpg)
27 teams are still in contention for the 24 places in the knockout stages, where the top eight sides will automatically reach the last-16, while those from ninth to 24th will play a two-legged play-off clash next month. The higher a side finishes, the more prize money they receive, adding even more pressure, while the likes of PSG and Man City are still at risk of crashing out.
![[The new Champions League format has split opinion, but there promises to be much drama]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/13/94636667-14337243-image-a-24_1738158351111.jpg)
In light of the blockbuster night of action ahead, Mail Sport takes a look at some of the talking points ahead of the final round of fixtures. The Champions League League Phase concludes this evening with 18 fixtures all at once. Liverpool are one of only two teams who have automatically qualified for the last-16 stage.
![[Manchester City must beat Club Brugge tonight if they are to progress to the play-off round]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/14/94637527-14337243-image-a-36_1738159465768.jpg)
The new Champions League format has split opinion, but there promises to be much drama. When Manchester City fans walked away from the Etihad following their 5-0 thumping of Sparta Prague in October, barely an eyebrow was raised. For this was a European superpower and the 2022 Champions League winners cruising through yet another group stage of the competition, having scored nine goals without reply across three games.
![[Pep Guardiola's side have lost three of their last four Champions League games amid a dire run]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/13/94636671-14337243-image-a-26_1738158547735.jpg)
