The first stage of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League (UCL) is moving towards its completion, with all Gameweek 8 encounters to be held on the same day—January 30.
Let’s take a look at the five most important fixtures that can prove decisive in terms of both direct qualification to the Round of 16 and a route to the playoffs.
The English champions have been abysmal in the Champions League so far, languishing in 25th position in the table. However, their fortunes in the Premier League are starting to change, having beaten Chelsea at the weekend. City have also bolstered their ranks with heavy spending in this January window. If they are to get through to the playoffs, three points from this encounter is an absolute must.
As for Club Brugge, they are close to City in the standings, placed 20th in the table, and even a draw might get them to the playoffs. They have been unbeaten in their last four CL encounters and have a decent defensive setup.
Having said that, City at home is a different proposition, and this is a game that favours the Cityzens heavily due to their quality and the fact that they are slowly returning to their threatening best.
Another mouthwatering contest between two clubs fighting for a place in the playoffs. Considering the quality PSG have in their squad, they’re another top team that have under-performed. However, the comeback win against Manchester City in the last game would have given them massive confidence ahead of this fixture.
As for Stuttgart, they will be cautious going into this game. Even though they beat Slovan Bratislava in their last CL game, they lost away in the German Bundesliga against Mainz. This topsy-turvy form doesn’t augur well for them.
This could be a one-sided encounter or a cagey affair depending on how Stuttgart play at home. Both teams need to win this encounter to ensure getting to the playoffs, but PSG may just prove too much for Sebastian Hoeneß’s side.
This is a big encounter between two very strong sides. Inter have been the best defensive side in this year’s Champion League, having conceded only one goal so far, while Monaco are an attacking side who like to go forward.
Inter’s form has been incredible in recent games. They just won convincingly at the weekend in the Serie A, while Monaco have been consistent as well, having beaten Aston Villa in a tough game in the previous UCL Gameweek and won their Ligue 1 encounter as well.
With the Nerazzurri sitting comfortably in the UCL top four, even a draw would suffice to ensure a Round of 16 spot, while Monaco must win this game to have any chance of automatic qualification.
Even though Monaco are a strong offensive side with the firepower to hurt anyone, playing one of the best defensive units in the world is going to be a massive task for the Monégasque outfit.
While Lille lost their impressive 21-game unbeaten streak against Liverpool in the previous UCL Gameweek, Feyenoord shocked Bayern Munich with a 3-0 win. Lille suffered another loss in Ligue 1 at the weekend, while Feyenoord haven’t played since their win against Bayern.
The two teams are placed back-to-back in the league table (11th and 12th), tied on the same number of points. A win will give the winning team a chance to finish in the top eight—granted other results go their way.
This could be a very entertaining battle to watch as both teams have punched above their weight in the Champions League so far this season. Lille could have the edge as they have the home advantage and are a disciplined team good at defending, but one cannot write off Feyenoord, especially after their never-say-die attitude dispatched Bayern last time out.
Even though this might not be a massive fixture in terms of qualification, as Barça have made the Round of 16, for Atalanta it could prove decisive for automatic qualification as they are currently seventh in the table and would want to avoid the playoffs.
Barcelona will be full of confidence after grabbing a dramatic late win against Benfica in Gameweek 7, having also won their LaLiga game after that with a big margin. Atalanta have been no different, though, as they put up a five-star performance against Sturm Graz in the UCL before winning their Serie A game at the weekend.
It’s going to be a feisty encounter between two attacking outfits who don’t sit back and defend. While Barcelona’s attack has been the best in the top-five leagues, their defensive high-line could give the Atalanta attackers room and opportunities to score.
This will be a great game for the neutrals—a potential high-scoring encounter between Gian Piero Gasperini and Hansi Flick’s men.
Also read: UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Sponsors
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