Champions League: European Giants Face Crucial Tests In Race For Top 8 Finish

Tuesday’s nine UEFA Champions League fixtures could prove decisive in determining which clubs secure automatic qualification for the Round of 16 and which are forced into an additional knockout play-off in February.
Although the matches will not determine who lifts the trophy in Budapest in June, they carry significant implications for the league-phase standings, with clubs battling to finish among the top eight and avoid two extra matches in an already congested football calendar.
Under the competition’s new format, the eight highest-ranked teams qualify automatically for the Round of 16, while clubs finishing between ninth and 24th place must contest a two-legged play-off to remain ...