The competition’s new format has thrown up plenty of drama so far, even if the stakes didn’t feel quite as high as previous years’ group stages
So there we have it. After five gruelling months and 144 games, including 18 in one night on Wednesday, the inaugural Champions League league phase is finally over.
The final matchday certainly delivered on the entertainment front, with 64 goals smashed in, including five in Liverpool’s clash with PSV in Eindhoven, six in Aston Villa’s home win over Celtic, and seven in Lille’s demolition of Feyenoord. “It was a little bit chaotic at times because there were goals going in everywhere,” former Rangers striker Ally McCoist said on TNT Sports. “I don’t think I would be able to watch just the one game in my house, on my sofa, ever again. It was sensational.”
It’s difficult to argue with that assessment, but the journey beforehand was a real slog. We still have another 16 games to get through before the round of 16, too, with the play-off knockout round set to be played in mid-February.
Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille and Villa don’t have to worry about that; they are automatically through after finishing in the top eight. But a host of other huge clubs underperformed as the overall competitiveness levels on the elite European stage dropped significantly.
The argument over whether the new format can be considered an immediate success will very much depend on allegiances, and with that in mind, GOAL brings you the winners and losers from the 2024-25 league phase…
Arne Slot’s Liverpool have been on fire in the inaugural Champions League league phase, showcasing their dominance and proving themselves as serious contenders for European glory. With their attacking prowess and solid defense, they have proven that they are the real deal and a force to be reckoned with in the competition.
On the other hand, Manchester City have not been as impressive, struggling to find their rhythm and consistency in the group stages. Despite their strong squad and talented players, they have fallen short in their performances and it seems unlikely that they will be able to challenge for a second European crown this season.
The winners of the league phase have been teams like Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, who have all shown their class and quality in their performances. These teams have been able to navigate through tough groups and secure their spots in the knockout stages, setting themselves up for a potential deep run in the competition.
On the other hand, teams like Barcelona, Manchester United, and Juventus have been the losers of the league phase, failing to live up to expectations and struggling to secure their spots in the knockout stages. These teams will need to regroup and improve if they want to have any chance of making a run in the competition.
Overall, the inaugural Champions League league phase has been filled with exciting matchups, surprising results, and standout performances. As we head into the knockout stages, it will be interesting to see which teams will rise to the occasion and which teams will falter under the pressure. One thing is for sure, Arne Slot’s Liverpool are looking like serious contenders, while Manchester City will have a tough road ahead if they want to secure a second European crown.
Tags:
- Arne Slot
- Liverpool
- Man City
- UEFA
- Champions League
- European crown
- Winners and losers
- League phase
- Soccer
- Football clubs
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