The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League is underway, with a fresh format introduced this season.
Unlike previous years, this edition features a league phase, where 36 teams are grouped into a single table. Each team will play eight matches against different opponents, with three points awarded for a win and one for a draw.
The top eight teams automatically advance to the Round of 16, while teams placed 9th to 24th will compete in play-offs for the remaining spots. Teams ranked below 24th are eliminated.
Matches are primarily scheduled for Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but during exclusive matchweeks, like this one, games are also being played on Thursdays.
Match Day One Report:
After the first Match Day of the UEFA Champions League, the competition is off to a thrilling start, with some notable teams already making strong statements while others face early struggles. Here’s a detailed analysis of the standings after MD1:
Top Performers
Bayern München: The German powerhouse leads the table with an impressive +7 goal difference after just one match, securing all three points. Their dominant start places them at the top, setting the tone for another potentially deep run in the tournament.
Celtic: Surprisingly, Celtic comes in second place, also with a +4 goal difference, and looks poised to make an impact this season. With their strong start, they are certainly a team to watch as the group stage progresses.
Leverkusen: Another Bundesliga side, Leverkusen, has also hit the ground running, sharing the same goal difference as Celtic (+4) and the maximum three points. They have proven to be an attacking threat, which could see them continue this momentum.
Aston Villa & Borussia Dortmund: Both teams have started brightly with a +3 goal difference. Aston Villa, making a rare appearance in the Champions League, has shown they belong in Europe’s elite, while Dortmund’s experience keeps them steady at the top. Both clubs have solidified their positions early in the competition.
Other Notable Teams
Sparta Praha, Liverpool, and Juventus are tied in 6th place, all with three points and a +2 goal difference. These teams have delivered solid performances and are in contention for the knockout stage after the first round.
Real Madrid and Sporting CP also start the campaign well, each with a +2 goal difference. Madrid, one of the favourites, is expected to make it far in the tournament, while Sporting CP’s good start keeps them in the conversation.
Teams in the Middle of the Pack
Several heavyweights such as Atlético Madrid, Benfica, Brest, Monaco, and Paris Saint-Germain have collected the maximum points but with a more modest goal difference of +1. Their positions in the standings suggest that while they secured wins, they may need to refine their performances as the group stages progress.
Notably, Arsenal, Atalanta, Inter, and Manchester City—clubs expected to do well—are currently positioned lower on the table due to their neutral goal difference (0). These teams will need to improve to challenge for higher placements as the group matches continue.
Struggling Teams
Leipzig and Sturm Graz occupy spots 22 and 23, respectively, with both teams suffering a -1 goal difference. Their negative start suggests they could struggle in their upcoming matches unless they bounce back quickly.
Crvena Zvezda, Girona, PSV, and Stuttgart are already in the elimination zone after conceding two goals each (-2 goal difference). These teams will need to rethink their strategies to avoid an early exit.
Big Names in Trouble
Milan and Lille are surprising names towards the bottom of the table, both having a -2 goal difference and no points after their opening games. Milan, especially, will need to recover quickly given their European pedigree.
Bottom of the Table
The most worrying signs come from Club Brugge, Salzburg, Young Boys, and Slovan Bratislava, who all sit near the bottom of the table with a -3 or -4 goal difference after MD1.
Feyenoord and GNK Dinamo are in particularly dire straits. Feyenoord holds a -6 goal difference, while GNK Dinamo has had the worst start of all teams, with a staggering -7 goal difference. Their chances of survival in the competition look slim unless there is a significant turnaround in their form.
Summary
After the first round of fixtures, the standings reflect early dominance from the German teams and some surprising performances from Celtic and Aston Villa. Traditional giants like Real Madrid and Juventus are comfortably placed but still have work to do to secure qualification. Meanwhile, teams like Milan, Inter, and Manchester City will be disappointed with their positions and must rally in the next matches.
The table suggests that this year’s Champions League group stage is set to be highly competitive, with multiple teams vying for the top spots and the coveted Round of 16 berths. However, for teams like GNK Dinamo and Feyenoord, the road ahead looks increasingly difficult after a disastrous start.