The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League is underway, with a recent format launched this season.
In contrast to earlier years, this version includes a league part, the place 36 groups are grouped right into a single desk. Every crew will play eight matches in opposition to totally different opponents, with three factors awarded for a win and one for a draw.
The highest eight groups mechanically advance to the Spherical of 16, whereas groups positioned ninth to twenty fourth will compete in play-offs for the remaining spots. Groups ranked under twenty fourth are eradicated.
Matches are primarily scheduled for Tuesdays and Wednesdays, however throughout unique matchweeks, like this one, video games are additionally being performed on Thursdays.
Match Day One Report:
After the primary Match Day of the UEFA Champions League, the competitors is off to an exciting begin, with some notable groups already making robust statements whereas others face early struggles. Right here’s an in depth evaluation of the standings after MD1:
Prime Performers
Bayern München: The German powerhouse leads the desk with a formidable +7 aim distinction after only one match, securing all three factors. Their dominant begin locations them on the high, setting the tone for an additional doubtlessly deep run within the match.
Celtic: Surprisingly, Celtic is available in second place, additionally with a +4 aim distinction, and appears poised to make an impression this season. With their robust begin, they’re actually a crew to observe because the group stage progresses.
Leverkusen: One other Bundesliga aspect, Leverkusen, has additionally hit the bottom operating, sharing the identical aim distinction as Celtic (+4) and the utmost three factors. They’ve confirmed to be an attacking risk, which may see them proceed this momentum.
Aston Villa & Borussia Dortmund: Each groups have began brightly with a +3 aim distinction. Aston Villa, making a uncommon look within the Champions League, has proven they belong in Europe’s elite, whereas Dortmund’s expertise retains them regular on the high. Each golf equipment have solidified their positions early within the competitors.
Different Notable Groups
Sparta Praha, Liverpool, and Juventus are tied in sixth place, all with three factors and a +2 aim distinction. These groups have delivered strong performances and are in competition for the knockout stage after the primary spherical.
Actual Madrid and Sporting CP additionally begin the marketing campaign nicely, every with a +2 aim distinction. Madrid, one of many favourites, is predicted to make it far within the match, whereas Sporting CP’s good begin retains them within the dialog.
Groups within the Center of the Pack
A number of heavyweights similar to Atlético Madrid, Benfica, Brest, Monaco, and Paris Saint-Germain have collected the utmost factors however with a extra modest aim distinction of +1. Their positions within the standings counsel that whereas they secured wins, they might must refine their performances because the group levels progress.
Notably, Arsenal, Atalanta, Inter, and Manchester Metropolis—golf equipment anticipated to do nicely—are presently positioned decrease on the desk attributable to their impartial aim distinction (0). These groups might want to enhance to problem for larger placements because the group matches proceed.
Struggling Groups
Leipzig and Sturm Graz occupy spots 22 and 23, respectively, with each groups struggling a -1 aim distinction. Their detrimental begin suggests they might wrestle of their upcoming matches except they bounce again shortly.
Crvena Zvezda, Girona, PSV, and Stuttgart are already within the elimination zone after conceding two objectives every (-2 aim distinction). These groups might want to rethink their methods to keep away from an early exit.
Massive Names in Hassle
Milan and Lille are shocking names in direction of the underside of the desk, each having a -2 aim distinction and no factors after their opening video games. Milan, particularly, might want to get better shortly given their European pedigree.
Backside of the Desk
Essentially the most worrying indicators come from Membership Brugge, Salzburg, Younger Boys, and Slovan Bratislava, who all sit close to the underside of the desk with a -3 or -4 aim distinction after MD1.
Feyenoord and GNK Dinamo are in significantly dire straits. Feyenoord holds a -6 aim distinction, whereas GNK Dinamo has had the worst begin of all groups, with a staggering -7 aim distinction. Their possibilities of survival within the competitors look slim except there’s a important turnaround of their kind.
Abstract
After the primary spherical of fixtures, the standings mirror early dominance from the German groups and a few shocking performances from Celtic and Aston Villa. Conventional giants like Actual Madrid and Juventus are comfortably positioned however nonetheless have work to do to safe qualification. In the meantime, groups like Milan, Inter, and Manchester Metropolis will probably be disenchanted with their positions and should rally within the subsequent matches.
The desk means that this 12 months’s Champions League group stage is ready to be extremely aggressive, with a number of groups vying for the highest spots and the coveted Spherical of 16 berths. Nevertheless, for groups like GNK Dinamo and Feyenoord, the street forward seems more and more tough after a disastrous begin.
