The UEFA Champions League's first-ever league phase is over, and the knockout stage outlook is now much clearer. Manchester City avoided disaster, Liverpool topped the league-phase table, and we will get Manchester City against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the playoffs.

After a chaotic final Champions League league phase matchday, Real Madrid now know their two potential opponents for the knockout phase playoffs. Despite securing a 3–0 victory against Brest, Real Madrid did not finish in the top eight of the Champions League standings.