With 2024 quickly coming to an finish, the league section of the newly formatted UEFA Champions League can be beginning to take form.
Barcelona are in place, with 4 wins gathered in simply 5 matches. The Catalans might solidify their place within the assured top-eight spots if they’re in a position to beat Borussia Dortmund tonight.
Actual Madrid, in distinction, are struggling in 18th spot, having secured solely three wins in six matches. Their place improved following a hard-fought win over Atalanta final night time.
May there be a Clasico in UCL playoffs?
Whereas it appears more and more probably that Barcelona might end within the high eight, the membership may very well be set for a Clasico showdown with Actual Madrid if each golf equipment fail to qualify for the assured spots.
The draw for the knockout play-off will happen on January 31, 2025, and the matches will likely be performed in February.
If each Actual Madrid and Barcelona discover themselves within the playoff pool, the draw will decide whether or not they face one another or one other opponent.
It’s price noting that the format of the knockout play-off is such that groups from the identical federation may be drawn in opposition to one another, which is a pivot from earlier guidelines.
Which means that a Clasico conflict is solely attainable, a tantalising prospect for each units of followers.
The 2 Spanish giants have already met this season, with Hansi Flick’s males popping out as clear 4-0 victors. Nonetheless, the battle may very well be on a extra equal footing subsequent time, as Barça have misplaced important momentum in latest occasions.