After three defeats in their first six UCL league games, Carlo Ancelotti's team has little room for error against Salzburg and Brest.
After their Champions League match on December 10 in Bergamo, Italy, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was seen sighing with relief as he headed to the dressing rooms. Los Blancos had just defeated Atalanta (3-2) to get their Champions League round of 16 back on track with two games remaining: against Salzburg and French side Brest, one of the standout teams in this European competition year.
What Real Madrid need to do to qualify for the UCL round of 16
As it stands, Real Madrid have nine points, from three wins and three defeats, two of which were particularly painful: a 1-0 defeat to Lille at the Stade Pierre Mauroy Stadium and a 3-1 defeat to Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu . These defeats were especially tough due to the team's poor performance.
The upcoming games against Salzburg on Wednesday (22 January) could give Madrid a positive European record for the first time this season before they travel to France on matchday eight next week (29 January). Winning these last two games would improve their current position of 22nd out of 36 teams.
If they finish with consecutive wins, Real Madrid would finish with 15 points, but they would have to wait for other teams' results to determine their final position.
Ancelotti has already suggested that Real Madrid might not finish in the top eight to qualify directly for the round of 16, which was a given at the start of the competition. If that fails, they will have to endure a two-legged play-off in mid-February to qualify for the round of 16, provided they do not fall out of the top 24 and disappear from the competition altogether. That would really be a shock.
Tuesday's results dropped Real Madrid to 22nd place (out of 36), but a win against Salzburg would take them to 12 points, level with Bayern Munich and Milan (who still have to play this week), as well as Borussia Dortmund and Juventus (who have already completed their matches on matchday seven). These four teams currently occupy positions 12 to 15. On the final matchday, which will be played next week, Los Merengues will face Brest to determine their final position.
Real Madrid's Champions League earnings in 2024/25
So far, Real Madrid have earned around €66 million ($68.65 million) from this season's Champions League, with the potential for more income from the points they could earn in the last two games and their final position.
UEFA will reward €275,000 (just over $286,000) for each position increased in the competition phase, which concludes next week. The team that finishes first (currently led by Liverpool) will receive almost 9.9 million euros ($10.3 million), while the eighth-placed team, just avoiding the play-offs, will receive 6.875 million euros ( will earn $7.15 million).
The team that finishes 36th (last) will receive €275,000 (just over $286,000, as stated). In addition, the top eight teams will receive a €2 million ($2.08 million) bonus for qualifying for the round of 16, and clubs from 9th to 24th, who participate in the play-offs, will receive €1 million ($1.04 million).
The eight teams that advance to the play-off round will earn an additional €1 million ($1.04 million) to match the remainder of the round of 16, giving Real Madrid a significant opportunity to increase their revenue.
Real Madrid need to secure a win against Salzburg to climb the table, which is essential before they take on Brest in the final match of this new Champions League group stage format. The outcome of other matches will then play a crucial role in determining their final position and which stage of the competition they qualify for.
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