The group stage of the UEFA Champions League officially came to a close on Wednesday and the standings are now final. Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal,

Atlético de Madrid are unbeaten in their last 10 home games against German sides in the UEFA Champions League (W7 D3), while Bayer Leverkusen will be looking to become the first German team to win away to them in the competition since Borussia Dortmund in October 1996 (1-0).

Bayer Leverkusen's hopes of qualifying directly for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 hinge on the result of their final game of the league phase against Sparta Prague on Wednesday (kick-off: 9pm CET).

Here's the state of play after the conclusion of the first stage of the Champions League: Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, Aston Villa. Monaco or Brest vs. Paris Saint-Germain or Benfica (for the right to play Liverpool or Barcelona)

The UEFA Champions League league phase concludes on Wednesday, Jan. 29 with all 36 clubs playing at the same time.

The Champions League is down to 24 teams, and yes, giants such as Man City and Paris Saint-Germain made it through in the end. Let's review the league phase and the best XI, and project who's winning it all.

Arsenal have secured their place in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Mikel Arteta's side wrapped up their league phase campaign with a 2-1 win away at La Liga side Girona to finish third in the overall UCL rankings.

How do you follow all 18 games on 'Matchday Mayhem'? Come up with a running order and watch a bit of every one in turn, of course

Arsenal had a £60m bid rejected for Watkins before their Champions League clash with Girona and since then, Villa have accepted a deal worth around £64m for Colombian striker Duran.

Top of the Champions League table and into the last 16 with the most money banked. This was the perfect return to Europe’s elite competition for Liverpool, setting up Arne Slot’s side for a crack at lifting the trophy for a seventh time and significantly boosting the club’s balance sheet.

The January transfer window rarely sees blockbuster deals in the Bundesliga, but in 2025, Bayern and Leverkusen are looking to break with tradition.