New Year New Luck? - UEFA Champions League MD7 21 January 2025

The first ever league phase of the UEFA Champions League is now reaching its business end. Some teams can already plan for the knock-out stages and some have not chance on that phase already. But for many of the 36 teams involved, it is now all about gathering points to make it as far as possible. Big names like Manchester City or Paris St-Germain are way down the table - not where they want to be. They will need to make the upcoming two games count to stand a chance of winning the prestigious UEFA Champions League title in spring 2025. Yet, the Road to Munich is still pretty long for everyone. Time to have a look at who needs what from these upcoming games and of course who is traveling when and how.

21 January 2025

AS Monaco vs. Aston Villa

16th/10 pts vs. 5th/13 pts

18.45h CET, Stade Louis II, Monte Carlo

Both these sides should make it into the knockout stages, but they are playing for higher ambitions. Aston Villa may not have expected to run that high in the competition. Yet they are even looking for a direct qualification for the round of 16. A win would help them a lot in achieving this particular goal on the way to Champions League glory.

LS6878 BHX xxxx-1510 NCE B738 (20/01/25)

LS6879 NCE 2300-xxxx BHX B738 (21/01/25)

G-DRTN, Jet2, Boeing 737-800
seen arriving at London-Stansted in May 2024

Atlético Madrid vs. Bayer 04 Leverkusen

11th/12 pts vs. 4th/13 pts

21.00h, Estadio Metropolitano, Madrid

With more than two points on average per game, both teams sit nicely on the table. The visitors from Germany are up in fourth place and will definitely look to consolidate this spot in order to save themselves from the play-off round in February. The Metropolitano is not an easy place to go and play a game though. So expect Atlético to resist the German champions with everything they have. After all, the hosts still play for the direct qualification into the round of 16 as well.

PVG3992 CGN xxxx-1830 MAD A321 (20/01/25)

PVG3991 MAD 1345-xxxx CGN A321 (22/01/25)

SL Benfica vs. FC Barcelona

15th/10 pts vs. 2nd/15 pts

21.00h CET (20.00h local time), Estadio da Luz, Lisbon

Visiting Barcelona have snuck through the league phase so far and worked themselves up in the table to the second spot, only behind Liverpool. Their objective for this game must clearly be to win and thereby securing the direct admission to the round of 16. Benfica will try and keep the points in Lisbon however, with the competition for the next rounds waiting in the spots behind.

UX937 BCN 1050-1100 LIS B738 (20/01/25)

UX938 LIS 0010-0310 BCN B738 (22/01/25)

Bologna FC vs. Borussia Dortmund

33rd/2 pts vs. 9th/12 pts

21.00h, Stadio Renato Dall'ara, Bologna

There are no less than 24 places between these two sides. Dortmund are right in the battle for the top 8 spots while Bologna are definitely looking for survival in the competition. Only a win will be good enough for Bologna. Anything else will mean elimination at the end of the league phase. With just two draws from six matches so far, winning against the mighty BVB may be a very tough ask however.

EW1909 DTM xxxx-1705 BLQ A320 D-AEWM (20/01/25)

EW5209 DTM xxxx-1305 BLQ A320 (20/01/25)

Slovan Bratislava vs. VfB Stuttgart

35th/0 pts vs. 26th/7 pts

21.00h CET, Tehelne Pole, Bratislava

As one of three teams, Slovan Bratislava are already eliminated from the UEFA Champions League this season. In six matches, they have not won a single point. German runners-up Stuttgart are not sitting that much higher on the table. In 26th position, they need points urgently to maintain their hopes about a spot in the next round. Expect Stuttgart to do everything in their power to win this game and to continue their first European season in quite some time.

LWG1314 STR 1430-1545 BTS DH8D (20/01/25)

LWG1315 BTS 1200-1315 STR DH8D (22/01/25)

Tickets for the next round looming - UEFA Champions League MD6, 10 December 2024

10 December 2024

Girona FC vs. Liverpool FC

30th / 3 pts vs. 1st / 15 pts

Already certain of a spot in the knock-out stages in 2025, Liverpool could already make sure to avoid the play-off round and qualify directly for the round of 16. Girona fight for survival in the Champions League however, so it remains to be seen how much resistance they will manage to come up with.

LS6967 LPL xxxx-1625 GRO B738 (09/12/24)

HT2170 LPL xxxx-1840 GRO B734 (09/12/24)

LS6968 GRO 2230-xxxx LPL B738 (10/12/24)

HT2281 GRO 2300-xxxx LPL B734 (10/12/24)

A Jet2 Boeing 737-800 seen at Gran Canaria in 2021

GNK Dinamo Zagreb vs. Celtic Glasgow

23rd / 7 pts vs. 20th / 8 pts

Both these teams sit right on the edge of making it to the play-off round in February. They need full points from this round though, because Real Madrid and PSG sitting behind them will definitely look to improve. It will be a big day out for the Celtic supporters who are set to travel to Zagreb with several Jet2 Boeing 737 aircraft.

LS6961 GLA xxxx-1310 ZAG B738 (09/12/24)

LS6985 GLA xxxx-1325 ZAG B738 (09/12/24)

LS6957 GLA xxxx-1640 ZAG B738 (09/12/24)

ZT6701 GLA xxxx-1800 ZAG A321 (09/12/24)

Atalanta Bergamo vs. Real Madrid

5th / 11 pts vs. 24th / 6 pts

One would have expected Real Madrid higher up in the table. But just the two wins and three losses already make them have to fight for every single point. Atalanta will be no push-overs at all and will give them a fight until the last minute for the valuable points.

IB1400 MAD 1010-xxxx BGY (09/12/24)

IB1403 BGY xxxx-0300 MAD (11/12/24)

Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs. Inter Milan

6th / 10 pts vs. 2nd / 13 pts

Bayer face opponents from Milan for the second time in this year's UEFA Champions League. This time round, it is a proper top-of-the-table clash with two teams definitely looking for a finish in the top 8.

NO9140 MXP xxxx-1810 CGN B738 (09/12/24)

Club Brugge vs. Sporting CP

22nd / 7 pts vs. 10th / 10 pts

The visitors from Lisbon are looking for points to make the top 8, while Brugge might look at just about defending their spot on the table.

FC Salzburg vs. Paris St-Germain

32nd / 3 pts vs. 25th / 4 pts

Two of Europe's best teams in recent years have been struggling all season long. While PSG are at least leading their own league, Salzburg are also struggling domestically. Will this round already be the end of their Champions League hopes this season? The same goes for the mighty PSG however.

KLJ2568 CDG xxxx-1230 SZG B733 (09/12/24)

AEH141 LBG xxxx-1825 SZG E145 (09/12/24)

AEH142 SZG 1030-xxxx LBG E145 (11/12/24)

KLJ2570 SZG 1130-xxxx CDG B733 (11/12/24)

Shakhtar Donezk vs. FC Bayern München

26th / 4 pts vs. 13th / 9 pts

A domestic trip to Gelsenkirchen for the German giants Bayern. It remains uncertain whether they will use an aircraft at all.

RB Leipzig vs. Aston Villa

34th / 0 pts vs. 9th / 10 pts

One of the surprises in this season's UCL definitely is Aston Villa. They have a big chance of getting more points at the so far unlucky RB Leipzig.

LS6819 BHX xxxx-1645 LEJ B738 (09/12/24)

BRO001A BHX 1600-1855 LEJ B737 G-NEWG (09/12/24)

LS6820 LEJ 1300-xxxx BHX B738 (11/12/24)

Stade Brestois vs. PSV Eindhoven

11th / 10 pts vs. 18th / 8 pts

In midfield, more points are key for any team. Brest could make a huge step towards the next round with a win. But also PSV could remain in contention if they manage to beat the French surprise package in Brittany.

Dancing in the dark - UEFA Champions League MD5, 26 November 2024

Slovan Bratislava vs. AC Milan

NO9130 MXP 1700-1830 BTS B738 EI-HIM (25/11/24)
NO9131 BTS 2230-2355 MXO B738 (26/11/24)

Sparta Prague vs Atlético Madrid

PVG1903 MAD 1100-1325 PRG A321 EC-OCT (25/11/24)

Bayern München vs. Paris St-Germain

ED8111 CDG 1100-1215 MUC B733 LY-BGS (25/11/24)

FC Barcelona vs. Stade Brestois

VOE9230 BES 0945-1130 BCN A319 EC-MTC (25/11/24)
VOE9220 BES 0840-1035 BCN (26/11/24)
VOE9222 BES 0910-1105 BCN (26/11/24)

Volotea Airbus A319 EC-MTC
seen arriving at Corfu in June 2023

Inter Milan vs. RB Leipzig

DE9164 LEJ 1530-xxxx MXP B753 D-ABOM (25/11/24)
PVG3987 LEJ 1000-xxxx MXP A321 (26/11/24)

Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs. FC Salzburg

KK902P CGN xxxx-1440 SZG A320 (25/11/24)
KK6122 SZG 1530-1710 CGN A320 (25/11/24)
KK900P AJR xxxx-1500 SZG A320 (25/11/24)
KK6120 SZG 1550-1730 CGN A320 (25/11/24)
KK6123 CGN xxxx-1230 SZG A320 (27/11/24)
KK903P SZG 1310-xxxx CGN A320 (27/11/24)
KK6121 CGN xxxx-1530 SZG A320 (27/11/24)
KK901P SZG 1610-xxxx CGN A320 (27/11/24)

Manchester City vs. Feyenoord

BY8018 RTM 1430-1450 MAN B738 G-FDZY (25/11/24)
BY8006 RTM 1645-1705 MAN (25/11/24)

Sporting CP vs. Arsenal

ZT6581 LTN xxxx-1840 LIS (25/11/24)

BSC Young Boys vs. Atalanta Bergamo

AZ9070 BGY 1745-1845 BRN A319 (25/11/24)
AZ9945 BRN 1935-2115 FCO A319 (25/11/24, ferry flight)
AZ9071 BRN 0945-1050 BGY A319 (27/11/24)

More of the same for Brest? UEFA Champions League MD4, 6 November 2024

Shakhtar Donetsk vs. BSC Young Boys

18.45h, Arena auf Schalke, Gelsenkirchen (D)

29th/1pt vs. 34th/0pts

Two of the very bottom teams face off in Germany, where Shakhtar are once again playing their home fixtures. Young Boys will look to open their account against what actually could be the first beatable opposition this season, despite a good performance in the tight loss against Inter a couple of weeks ago.

QS267F ERF 1720-1830 BRN B38M OK-SWJ (04/11/24, ferry flight)

QS4316 BRN 1100-1230 DTM B38M OK-SWJ (05/11/24)

Club Brugge vs. Aston Villa

18.45h, Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges

26th/3pts vs. 1st/9pts

It may come as a surprise that Aston Villa are in the lead of the Champions League three games into the season. Their wins over Bayern München, Young Boys and Bologna came well-earned though. Against the Belgian champions Brugge they will look to maintain their perfect start and make another big stride towards the knockout phase.

BRO989A BHX 1600-1755 OST B733 G-SWRD (05/11/24)

BRO985P OST 1905-1920 STN B733 G-SWRD (05/11/24, ferry flight)

Red Star Belgrade vs. FC Barcelona

21.00h, Marakana, Belgrade

33rd/0pts vs. 10th/6pts

Barcelona should be clear favourites away in Belgrade. However, the Marakana is a very noisy ground with the enthusiasm of their home supporters, Red Star will be keen to book their first points of the season. For the outbound flight, Barcelona appears to use Air Europa Express, while the return flight is set to be a regular Air Europa aircraft.

OVA937 BCN 1100-1330 BEG B738 (05/11/24)

UX938 BEG xxxx-1335 BCN B738 (07/11/24)

FC Bayern München vs. SL Benfica

21.00h, Allianz Arena, Munich

23rd/3pts vs. 13th/6pts

Bayern find themselves in a delicate situation, having lost two out of three games so far. Benfica on their behalf sit about where one could expect them to be, with two wins and one loss.

TP9022 LIS 1500-1900 MUC A339 CS-TUI (05/11/24)

Inter Milan vs. Arsenal

21.00h, San Siro, Milan

7th/7pts vs. 9th/7pts

Another clash with two opponents who are level on points. A win in this match could be a big step forward for those two heavyweights of international football in Europe. Winning away games in Italy is not the easiest thing at the best of times though - even for teams from the strong league in England.

HAT2260 LTN 1545-1825 MXP B734 (05/11/24)

YD114 LTN 1615-1915 MXP B738 (05/11/24)

Paris St-Germain vs. Atlético Madrid

21.00h, Parc des Princes, Paris

19th/4pts vs. 27th/3pts

There would have been mixed emotions in Paris and Madrid so far about the respective UCL campaigns. PSG dropped valuable points against Arsenal and PSV. Atlético even has to make up for two losses against Lille and Benfica. The Rojiblancos will travel to Paris with Privilege Style, enjoying the trip on one of their Airbus A321 aircraft.

PVG1903 MAD 1055-1300 CDG A321 (05/11/24)

PVG2003 CDG 0030-0230 MAD A321 (07/11/24)

Sparta Prague vs. Stade Brestois 29

21.00h, Stadion Letna, Prague

21st/4pts vs. 5th/7pts

Sparta are hosting one of the big surprises of the Champions League season so far. Nobody would have expected Brest to sit in the top group with seven points from their first three matches, although the wins over both Austrian teams Salzburg and Sturm Graz may not have come as a complete surprise. In their third game, Brest mixed it with German champions Leverkusen and held out for a 1-1 draw.

VOE9228 BES 0900-1120 PRG A320 EC-ISI (05/11/24)

VOE9218 BES 0900-1120 PRG A320 (06/11/24)

VOE9229 PRG 0030-xxxx BES A320 (07/11/24)

VOE9219 PRG 1630-xxxx BES A320 (07/11/24)

Volotea Airbus A320 EC-OEH
seen arriving at Barcelona in August 2024

Feyenoord Rotterdam vs. FC Salzburg

21.00h, De Kuip, Rotterdam

16th/6pts vs. 34th/0pts

The Dutch home team may just about be ranked where expected. But Salzburg would definitely have hoped for a lot more than zero points and nine goals conceded in the first three matches of the campaign. Points are a must for the Austrian team - but are Feyenoord the right opponents for this mission?

KK902P CGN 1240-1420 SZG A320 D-ANNE (05/11/24, ferry flight)

KK6122 SZG 1510-1640 RTM A320 D-ANNE (05/11/24)

KK900P CGN 1300-1440 SZG A320 D-ANDI (05/11/24, ferry flight)

KK6120 SZG 1530-1700 RTM A320 D-ANDI (05/11/24)

KK6123 RTM xxxx-1250 SZG A320 (07/11/24)

KK903P SZG 1330-xxxx CGN A320 (07/11/24, ferry flight)

KK6121 RTM xxxx-1550 SZG A320 (07/11/24)

KK901P SZG 1630-xxxx CGN A320 (07/11/24, ferry flight)

VfB Stuttgart vs. Atalanta Bergamo

21.00h, MHPArena, Stuttgart

18th/4pts vs. 17th/5pts

Atalanta and Stuttgart are neighbors on the table, separated by just the one point. Both are of course hoping for knockout football in 2025, but they will both still have their work cut out in games to come. Whoever wins this one has valuable points in the bank.

AZ9070 BGY 1630-1735 STR A21N (05/11/24)