2025-26 UEFA Champions League Matchday 8 LIVE: Updates and standings from league phase finale

This new UEFA Champions League format allows 24 clubs to remain in contention, with only 12 eliminated outright after the league phase. Several clubs are already well clear of the top eight but have effectively secured their place in the playoff round. Inter and Juventus sit on 12 points, while Borussia Dortmund follow closely with 11, placing them firmly in that category.

The most intense fight for playoff qualification comes just below. Galatasaray and Qarabag, both on 10 points, are in solid positions but face difficult road tests away to Manchester City and Liverpool, respectively. Olympique de Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen, and Monaco each have nine points and currently sit in qualifying spots, with Marseille visiting Club Brugge, Leverkusen hosting already eliminated Villarreal, and Monaco facing Juventus at home.

Further down the table, PSV Eindhoven, Athletic Club, Olympiacos, Napoli, and Copenhagen all have eight points and are still alive. PSV and Athletic Club occupy the final two playoff places for now, while Napoli are currently outside the cut line and must defeat Chelsea at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium to stay alive, making it one of the standout matches of the day. Club Brugge sit on seven points, while Benfica, Pafos, Union Saint-Gilloise, and Ajax each have six and will need a win combined with favorable results elsewhere to extend their UEFA Champions League run.