Real Madrid's Path to Champions League Knockout Stage Revealed
A half-dozen strikes in an impressive Champions League display against Monaco provided momentary relief from the pressure at the Santiago Bernabéu, though it might require a 16th European crown for genuine contentment to return to the Spanish capital.
Carlo Ancelotti's concluding season in charge proved disappointing for Florentino Pérez, and while he ended Xabi Alonso's tenure prematurely, there's evident confidence within the organization that Álvaro Arbeloa can guide Real Madrid to glory this campaign and in future seasons.
The mood might be tense, but circumstances suddenly appear more promising for Madrid, particularly in European competition.
With just one league phase match remaining, here's the pathway for Real Madrid to ensure advancement to the knockout rounds.
How Can Real Madrid Qualify for Champions League Last 16?
How Can Real Madrid Qualify for Champions League Last 16?
Just two clubs (Arsenal and Bayern Munich) have secured their Champions League round of 16 berths. Following their 6–1 demolition of Monaco in Matchday 7, Real Madrid climbed to third position in the league phase standings and now control their qualification fate.
Victory for Arbeloa's squad away against José Mourinho's Benfica would guarantee their progression to the last 16 in either third or fourth place. Liverpool, also sitting on 15 points, could theoretically surpass them with a final day victory, though it would require a massive goal difference turnaround.
A stalemate in Lisbon should suffice for the serial champions. This would leave them with 16 points, while five clubs currently outside the top eight (Barcelona, Sporting CP, Manchester City, Atlético Madrid and Atalanta) could match this total with Wednesday victories. Nevertheless, Madrid presently enjoys at least a +6 superior goal difference compared to each of these rivals.
Losing on Wednesday exposes Madrid to danger, with two additional teams (Inter and Juventus) then capable of matching Arbeloa's men. Once more, the La Liga powerhouse's significantly better goal difference positions them favorably.
Nevertheless, nine clubs could completely overtake Madrid should they suffer defeat. If five of those teams triumph and Liverpool secure a result at home against Qarabag, the 15-time European champions will face playoff qualification for consecutive seasons.
Champions League Table Ahead of Matchday 8
Champions League Table Ahead of Matchday 8
Position | Club | Points | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
1. | Arsenal | 21 | +18 |
2. | Bayern Munich | 18 | +13 |
3. | Real Madrid | 15 | +11 |
4. | Liverpool | 15 | +6 |
5. | Tottenham Hotspur | 14 | +8 |
6. | Paris Saint-Germain | 13 | +10 |
7. | Newcastle United | 13 | +10 |
8. | Chelsea | 13 | +6 |
9. | Barcelona | 13 | +5 |
10. | Sporting CP | 13 | +5 |
11. | Manchester City | 13 | +4 |
12. | Atlético Madrid | 13 | +3 |
13. | Atalanta | 13 | +1 |
14. | Inter Milan | 12 | +6 |
15. | Juventus | 12 | +4 |
16. | Borussia Dortmund | 11 | +4 |
17. | Galatasaray | 10 | 0 |
18. | Qarabağ | 10 | -2 |
19. | Marseille | 9 | 0 |
20. | Bayer Leverkusen | 9 | -4 |
21. | Monaco | 9 | -6 |
22. | PSV Eindhoven | 8 | +1 |
23. | Athletic Club | 8 | -4 |
24. | Olympiacos | 8 | -5 |
25. | Napoli | 8 | -5 |
26. | Copenhagen | 8 | -6 |
27. | Club Brugge | 7 | -5 |
28. | Bodø/Glimt | 6 | -2 |
29. | Benfica | 6 | -4 |
30. | Pafos | 6 | -6 |
31. | Union Saint-Gilloise | 6 | -10 |
32. | Ajax | 6 | -12 |
33. | Eintracht Frankfurt | 4 | -9 |
34. | Slavia Prague | 3 | -11 |
35. | Villarreal | 1 | -10 |
36. | Kairat Almaty | 1 | -14 |
How Can Real Madrid Qualify for the Champions League Knockout Phase?
How Can Real Madrid Qualify for the Champions League Knockout Phase?
Real Madrid faced adversity last campaign, finishing 11th in the league phase with 15 points but were compelled to face Manchester City in the playoff round.
Luckily, Pep Guardiola's Citizens were well below their peak form, and a Kylian Mbappé-led Madrid comfortably advanced to the round of 16.
There's a possibility Madrid finds themselves in the playoffs once more, though they are guaranteed participation in the next stage even if they fail to secure automatic last 16 qualification. However, Arbeloa's team would need to lose and experience considerable misfortune with other results to drop outside the top eight.