Since the 2024/25 season, the Champions League no longer starts with groups of four. All 36 clubs sit in a single league table, and each plays eight matches against eight different opponents, four at home and four away.
The top eight go straight to the round of 16. Clubs ranked 9th to 24th meet in a two-legged play-off for the remaining places, and the bottom twelve are eliminated. Every point matters until the last matchday.
