Arsenal, Champions League
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Real Madrid, Champions League
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The Champions League is wrapped up for the calendar year, yet the league phase table is still to be finalized. Only six of the league phase’s eight matchdays have been played so far, with the remaining two fixtures staged in January. Only after those decisive games have been played will we know which teams have progressed to the knockout stage.
Tottenham Hotspur returned to winning ways in the Champions League with a convincing victory against Slavia Prague. Thomas Frank's side were beaten 5-3 away to holders Paris St-Germain in their last game, making it even more important they secured three points and built on their morale-boosting Premier League win against Brentford.
Big teams have learned from last season to take the league phase more seriously, with several heavyweights cruising into the Champions League knockouts. Let's recap the surprises and rankings after Matchday 6.
The top 24 from the 36-team league phase table make it through, with the leading eight advancing immediately to the round of 16. Those placed between ninth and 24th have to first duke it out across a series of two-legged knockout playoffs before being paired with the top eight.
Here is the full UEFA Champions League league phase schedule, with dates and kick off times for the group stage. Below is all of the information you need, as we enter the final few rounds of the group stage with so much up in the air and still to be decided.
Gabriel Martinelli became the first Arsenal player to score in five consecutive Champions League appearances on Wednesday night, but he has a way to go to beat the competition record.Photo by Dean
Barcelona went into their match against Benfica without the injured Aitana Bonmati, Patri Guijarro, Ona Batlle, Salma Paralluelo, Kika Nazareth and, at the last minute, Irene Paredes, who was suffering from a fever. Even so, they beat Benfica and practically sealed their place in the next round.