The Champions League has already defined the path for its 36 participants in the first stage of the tournament. The draw determined the opponents for each team for a League Phase that will feature highly attractive matches from the start of the competition.
With the current system implemented by UEFA, each club faces two teams from each of the four pots, allowing the top contenders to meet before the decisive stages.
How the League Phase of the Champions League Works
The format establishes an overall table with the 36 teams. The top eight teams advance directly to the round of 16, while those ranked between ninth and twenty-fourth must play a playoff round to secure a spot among the top 16.
Meanwhile, the teams that finish between 25th and 36th will be eliminated directly from the competition.
The format guarantees a first phase with numerous matchups between top-level clubs, which must accumulate as many points as possible to avoid an additional round and advance directly to the round of 16.
The Big Matches of the League Phase
The draw left an extensive list of matches that promise to become the main attractions of this edition of the Champions League. Among them are several clashes between historic teams in European football.
Here are the 15 most notable matches of the League Phase:
Real Madrid vs. Inter
Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich
Liverpool vs. Atlético de Madrid
Arsenal vs. Real Madrid
