As the football world gears up for the continuation of the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League, fans are bracing themselves for a thrilling set of fixtures in Matchday 7. Scheduled for January 21 and 22, 2025, these games are pivotal as teams fight to secure their places in the knockout stages. With the league phase nearing its conclusion, every match and every point matters. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming action.
The New Format: A Quick Recap
The 2024–25 season introduced a revamped Champions League format, replacing the traditional group stage with a single-league phase. In this system:
- 36 teams compete in eight matches against different opponents (four home and four away).
- The top 8 teams automatically qualify for the Round of 16.
- Teams ranked 9th to 24th enter a knockout play-off round to vie for the remaining Round of 16 spots.
- Those finishing 25th to 36th are eliminated.
This innovative structure has added more excitement, with every match carrying significant weight. As we approach Matchday 7, the stakes are higher than ever.
Matchday 7 Fixtures: Key Highlights
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
- Monaco vs. Aston Villa
Time: 6:45 PM CET
Venue: Stade Louis-II, Monaco
Aston Villa travels to Monaco in a clash that could determine their knockout stage fate. Both teams have shown resilience in their campaigns, making this an intriguing battle. - Atalanta vs. Sturm Graz
Time: 6:45 PM CET
Venue: Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo
Atalanta will look to capitalize on home advantage as they take on Sturm Graz, who are fighting to stay in contention. - Atlético Madrid vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Time: 9:00 PM CET
Venue: Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid
This heavyweight encounter pits Atlético’s defensive solidity against Leverkusen’s attacking flair. Both teams are vying for top-eight spots. - Benfica vs. Barcelona
Time: 9:00 PM CET
Venue: Estádio da Luz, Lisbon
Barcelona has been dominant this season but faces a tough test against Benfica at their fortress in Lisbon. - Liverpool vs. Lille
Time: 9:00 PM CET
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
Liverpool remains unbeaten and will aim to continue their stellar run against Lille in front of their passionate home crowd. - Red Star Belgrade vs. PSV Eindhoven
Time: 9:00 PM CET
Venue: Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade
Red Star will look to upset PSV in a high-stakes match crucial for both sides’ playoff aspirations. - Club Brugge vs. Juventus
Time: 9:00 PM CET
Venue: Jan Breydelstadion, Brugge
Juventus needs a win to boost their chances of progressing, but Club Brugge won’t make it easy at home. - Slovan Bratislava vs. VfB Stuttgart
Time: 9:00 PM CET
Venue: Národný Futbalový Štadión, Bratislava
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
- Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Brest
Time: 6:45 PM CET
Venue: VELTINS-Arena (temporary venue), Gelsenkirchen - RB Leipzig vs. Sporting CP
Time: 6:45 PM CET
Venue: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig - AC Milan vs. Girona
Time: 9:00 PM CET
Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro), Milan - Arsenal vs. Dinamo Zagreb
Time: 9:00 PM CET
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London - Paris Saint-Germain vs. Manchester City
Time: 9:00 PM CET
Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris
This blockbuster clash features two European heavyweights battling for supremacy and crucial points. - Feyenoord vs. Bayern Munich
Time: 9:00 PM CET
Venue: Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip), Rotterdam - Real Madrid vs. Salzburg
Time: 9:00 PM CET
Venue: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid - Sparta Prague vs. Inter Milan
Time: 9:00 PM CET
Key Storylines to Watch
- Liverpool’s Unbeaten Run: Liverpool has been flawless so far and sits atop the standings with six wins from six matches. Can they maintain their perfect record against Lille?
- PSG vs Manchester City Showdown: Two of Europe’s most star-studded squads face off in Paris in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
- Barcelona’s Quest for Dominance: Barcelona has been one of the most consistent teams this season and will look to continue their strong form against Benfica.
- Arsenal’s Home Advantage: Arsenal hosts Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates as they aim to solidify their place among the top eight.
- High Stakes Across the Board: With only two matchdays remaining in the league phase, every team is fighting for survival or seeding in the knockout stages.
What’s at Stake?
- Teams like Liverpool and Barcelona are looking to secure top-eight finishes for direct qualification to the Round of 16.
- Clubs such as Juventus and Atlético Madrid are battling for crucial points to avoid slipping into lower positions.
- For underdogs like Brest and Slovan Bratislava, every game is an opportunity to make history by advancing further in Europe’s premier competition.
Looking Ahead
Following Matchday 7, the final set of league phase fixtures (Matchday 8) will take place on January 29, bringing an end to this exciting stage of the competition before moving into the knockout rounds starting February 11–12 with play-offs.The road to Munich’s Allianz Arena—where the final will be held on May 31—is heating up! Stay tuned as Europe’s best clubs battle it out for glory!
