UEFA Champions League 2024/25: League Phase Highlights-Knockout Play-Offs

On Wednesday, 29th January 2025, Europe’s top tier league; UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Campaign resumed for the last game week of the League Phase. 18 fixtures occurred at the same time with clubs fighting for a spot at the round of 16 or the knockout play offs. Many shock victories and Upsets occurred like AC Milan’s loss to Dinamo Zagreb. The atmosphere in Europe’s stadiums was electric as three red cards were given out on the final match day. The intensity of the games was high. Below are some of the highlights from the final day.

Liverpool Qualify as Best Winners

English Giants Liverpool led  the first ever edition of the UEFA Champions League Phase with 21 points in 8 games. Liverpool won its first 7 fixtures against Bologna, Leverkusen, Lille and Real Madrid at home; and  Girona, Leipzig and AC Milan away from home. Liverpool’s shock defeat came in the last day fixture against PSV at Philips Stadium. The Dutch side came from behind to secure a needed 3:2 victory. Liverpool is through to the round of 16 and PSV is preparing for Knock Out Play-offs. 

Manchester City Resurrects Champions League Hopes

Pep Guardiola’s side has been struggling to get back to form. Last week, they lost to French side Paris Saint German in a 4:2 duel. Manchester City led two goals and the French Giants forward Osmane Dembele inspired a 4:2 comeback. City came into the last fixture in 25th position; elimination area and had to win this game to increase their chances of Knock out play-off qualification. Manchester City hosted Belgian side Club Brugge. The visitors led at the halftime score instilling a lot of pressure on the hosts. Gracefully, Mateo Kovacic led a 3:1 comeback for the Citizens securing their spot at the Knock Out Play Offs. 

Road to Allianz Arena

The top eight teams qualified directly to the round of 16 on merit. These include Liverpool, Arsenal, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille and Aston villa. Teams from the 9th to 24th are heading for the Knock Out Play-Offs and the draws are to be picked on Friday, 31st January 2025 to select the other eight for Round of 16.

League Phase Top Scorers

This UEFA Champions League Campaign has been the first of its kind and every match was treated like a final. Forwards across European Nations rose unto the occasion to boost the hopes of their clubs European trophy Victory. Dortmund’s Shooter Serhou Guirassy ties with Roberto Lewandowski as the first League Phase top scorers in history.

The top scorers in the 8 games are;

PLAYER NAME	TEAM	GOALS
SERHOW GUIRASSY	DORTMUND	9
ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI	BARCELONA	9
RAPHINHA	BARCELONA	8
VINICIUS JUNIOR	MADRID	7
FLORIAN WIRTZ	BAYER LEVERKUSEN	6
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN	ATLETICO MADRID	6
HARRY KANE	BAYERN MUNCHEN	6
JULIAN ALVAREZ	ATLETICO MADRID	6
VICTOR GYOKERES	SPORTING	6
ERLING HAALAND	MANCHESTER CITY	6

Top Assist Leaders in the League Phase

The top 6 player makers in the League Phase were as follows;

PLAYER NAME	TEAM	ASSISTS
CHARLES DE KETELAERE	ATALANTA	5
RAPHINHA	BARCELONA	4
MARCOS LORRENTE	ATLETICO MADRID	4
MOHAMMAD SALAH	LIVERPOOL	4
IGO PAIXAO	FEYENOORD	4
OLLIE WATKINS	ASTON VILLA	4

League Phase Team Performances

Barcelona leads the most goals scored list with 28 goals in 8 games. Borussia Dortmund comes in second place with 22 goals scored. Real Madrid, Bayern, Atletico and Atalanta come in 3rd place with 20 goals scored. 

Serie A side Inter Milan conceded only one goal in the 8 League Phase fixtures. It was on their away trip to German Side Bayer Leverkusen that ended in a 1:0 defeat. In second place is Arsenal conceding only three goals followed by Liverpool conceding 5 goals of which three were on the last game against PSV.

Beyond the Headlines

It has been a successful first League Phase format walking away from the Legendary Traditional 32 team format. With the removal of Home and Away group fixtures, teams have treated every match like a final. Bolstering the nature of European Football. The fans appreciated  the broader range of fixtures and involvement of more Nations in the tournament. The simultaneous final match day was highlighted for its suspenseful and unpredictable football. Lets see the way the challenge unfolds on the road to Allianz Arena. Out of the 36 participants, which team will emerge victorious?