Bayern Munich beat Slovan Bratislava 3-1 in Matchday 8 of the Champions League yesterday, securing a place in the playoffs. The German side finished 12th in the

The UEFA Champions League's first-ever league phase is over, and the knockout stage outlook is now much clearer. Manchester City avoided disaster, Liverpool topped the league-phase table, and we will get Manchester City against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the playoffs.

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)

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

Bayern at least ensured they will be seeded in Friday's draw after beating Slovan Bratislava 3-1 on Wednesday, but their reward will be either City or Celtic

Barcelona's strong performance in the first-ever UEFA Champions League 'league phase' puts them in good standing to regain the title.

PSV beat Liverpool on a night to rememberEINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS – JANUARY 29: Johan Bakayoko of PSV Eindhoven celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25

Real Madrid turned their mixed start to the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League season around with two wins at the start of 2025. The defending champions have struggled within the new league-phase format of the competition with 36 teams entered into an extended league table.

It is only if they reach the semi-finals that the six-time European champions could face some of the pre-tournament favourites, with Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and Manchester City among the sides who could be lying in wait.

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

Tottenham Hotspur are in discussions with Bayern Munich over the permanent transfer of forward Mathys Tel. Tel, 19, has been on the margins of the Bayern squad since arriving from Rennes in 2022, and is seeking a move away from Allianz Arena in pursuit of playing time.