Real Madrid and Manchester City belong to the teams with the most to play for, while the UCL League phase is closed on MatchDay 8.
For more than a generation, UEFA Champions League matches were played on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings (in Europe). However, the makeover of the competition 2024/25 has led to deviations from that 'traditional' planning occasionally, including the most important matchday 8, which takes place exclusively on Wednesday 29 January.
There is a lot at stake in the last matches of the new competition phase.
All eyes on Real Madrid and Manchester City on UCL MatchDay 8
Which six other teams will join Liverpool and Barcelona to be directly eligible for the round of 16? Will Real Madrid be one of the 16 clubs that are forced to participate in a play-off to secure a last 16 place? Can Manchester City climb the status to prevent a shock early exit together with 11 other clubs?
Why are there no Champions League matches on Tuesday 28 January?
It is exactly because there is so much to play for that UEFA has planned all 18 matchday 8 match at exactly the same time: on Wednesday 29 January start at 3 p.m.
Unlike in the previous Champions League format, each match has an impact on the same league table and others each of the 36 teams as a result.
First Champions League matches on a Thursday
Earlier in the competition of this season, Champions League matches took place for the first time on a Thursday, usually reserved for the Europa League and Conference League. That was due to the newly introduced 'Exclusive Week' of UEFA, who gives each of the three European competitors in the spotlight per week.
MatagedDay 1 of the competition phase was played for three days: Tuesday, September 17, Wednesday September 18 and Thursday, September 19, before the 'usual' Tuesday-Wednesday scheme was adopted between match days 2 and 7.
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