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The Most Chaotic Champions Night Leaves All European Giants Alive

The Most Chaotic Champions Night Leaves All European Giants Alive

Barcelona finishes second, Atlético secures a spot in the last 16, Real Madrid faces the playoff, while PSG and City narrowly survive

José Manuel Andrés

Madrid

Miércoles, 29 de enero 2025, 23:00

On an unprecedented night in the Champions League, with up to 18 simultaneous matches and countless possible combinations turning any prediction into a genuine mathematical puzzle, nearly two hours of intense emotions resulted in a seemingly predictable outcome, with no notable casualties despite the struggles of the mighty Manchester City, saved by a dramatic comeback against Bruges.

In broad terms, Barcelona ended as the Spanish team with the highest grade, with a draw against Atalanta and a strong second place that grants them the resolution of each knockout round on their home ground and keeps the formidable Liverpool, the first, at bay until the Munich final. An outstanding performance by the Catalans and a very high mark for Atlético, who secured a direct ticket to the last 16 with a resounding victory over Salzburg, earning them fifth place, above Leverkusen and the surprising Lille and Aston Villa, completing the 'top 8'.

Real Madrid did not manage to achieve that goal in time, reacting late and despite securing their third consecutive victory in Brest, they did not rely on the unlikely multi-way tie they needed and will therefore pay for their three setbacks in the first five rounds with the dangerous path through the pre-last 16 playoff in February, where the great threat of City and the more amiable option of Celtic appear.

Beyond the three surviving representatives of La Liga, as Girona bid farewell with another defeat against Arteta's Arsenal, third ahead of Inter, the most striking events of the most thrilling evening in memory took place in Manchester and Stuttgart, where City and PSG, two giants, were under the sword of Damocles of early elimination. Guardiola's team needed a victory against Bruges at the Etihad, and their night turned into a nightmare just before halftime, with the Belgian side's 0-1 lead. Kovacic, Ordóñez's own goal, and former Girona player Savinho resolved the English champion's dilemma, miraculously alive but ultimately in the knockout phase.

In contrast, Luis Enrique's PSG only needed a draw, as did their opponent, Stuttgart, which initially suggested a non-aggression pact. However, the French champion refused any safe agreement and cemented a rout led by Dembélé to dispel any doubts.

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