Small teams but big trips - UEFA Champions League MD7 22 January 2025

The penultimate round of the League Phase goes into the second day with another nine fixtures across Europe. By the end of these matches, some more entrants to the round of 16 and the play-off phase will be known for sure.

22 January 2025

RB Leipzig vs. Sporting CP

34th/0 pts vs. 17th/10 pts

18.45h CET, Leipzig

Formerly a powerhouse of Champions League football, Leipzig found life really difficult this season. With zero points from six games, they are in the bottom group without a chance on making the knockout stages. Sporting need some points from this game to stay in the competition and maybe still make it directly into the round of 16.

HFM881 LIS xxxx-1920 LEJ A343 (21/01/25)

AC Milan vs. Girona FC

12th/12 pts vs. 30th/3 pts

21.00h CET, San Siro, Milan

After a promising start, Girona have tailed off considerably in the last few matches of the league phase. They are now playing for pure survival and need points from the away game in Milan. This does not promise to be an easy task however. It has historically been proven that San Siro is a very difficult place to win a game as the away side.

AP1985 GRO 1500-1625 MXP B738 EI-HIL (21/01/25)

AP1986 MXP xxxx-0315 GRO B738 (23/01/25)

The AlbaStar flight for Girona is actually operated by a Milan-based Neos Boeing 737-800.

Real Madrid vs. RB Salzburg

20th/9 pts vs. 32nd/3 pts

21.00h CET, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

No matter the situation on the table, away days at the mighty Bernabeu are always big for smaller teams. That Salzburg is making that trip with quite a lot of supporters should not be a surprise in this context. On the field however, Salzburg need a win or they go bust with one game to spare in the league phase. Real's rather low position on the table will not help the visitors however, even if Real are in some injury misery and therefore cannot count on their full squad for this important match.

KK900P MUC 0950-1030 SZG A320 D-ANNE (21/01/25, ferry flt)

KK902P VNO 1230-1335 SZG A320 9H-GTS (21/01/25, ferry flt)

KK7122 SZG 1420-1700 MAD A320 9H-GTS (21/01/25)

KK7120 SZG 1140-1420 MAD A320 D-ANNE (21/01/25)

QS430P PRG xxxx-0700 SZG B739 (22/01/25, ferry flt)

ENT547P KTW xxxx-0720 SZG B738 (22/01/25, ferry flt)

ENT547 SZG 0815-1105 MAD B738 (22/01/25)

QS4301 SZG 0815-1100 MAD B739 (22/01/25)

QS4302 MAD 1030-1300 SZG B739 (23/01/25)

QS430F SZG 1355-xxxx PRG B739 (23/01/25, ferry flt)

ENT548 MAD 1040-1330 SZG B738 (23/01/25)

ENT548P SZG 1425-xxxx KTW B738 (23/01/25, ferry flt)

KK6123 MAD 1100-1340 SZG A320 (23/01/25)

KK903P SZG 1430-xxxx CGN A320 (23/01/25, ferry flt)

KK6121 MAD 1420-1655 SZG A320 (23/01/25)

KK901P SZG 1735-xxxx CGN A320 (23/01/25, ferry flt)

Sparta Prague vs. Inter Milan

28th/4 pts vs. 6th/13 pts

21.00h CET, Prague

The situation on the table could not be more different for both these sides. Sparta will be trying their best to add to their four points in order to save a spot in the knock-out stages. Most probably, they will need two wins from two games to stand a chance for that though. Inter on their hand are looking for a finish in the top 8 and will therefore look to get maximum points from this fixture themselves.

NO9260 MXP 1645-1815 PRG B38M EI-RZA (21/01/25)

Shakhtar Donezk vs. Stade Brestois

27th/4 pts vs. 7th/13 pts

18.45h, Arena auf Schalke, Gelsenkirchen

The French visitors are still flying high and look like the favourites for this match. They surely want to maintain their good run and beat Shakhtar to improve their chances for a direct entry into the round of 16.

YW8042 BES 0830-1020 FMO CRJX EC-LJX (21/01/25)

YW8068 BES 0800-0940 DUS CRJX (22/01/25)

Arsenal vs. Dinamo Zagreb

3rd/13 pts vs. 24th/8 pts

21.00h CET (20.00h local time), Emirates Stadium, London

Dinamo sit right on the edge of making it to the next stage of the competition. They face a lot of pressure from teams like PSG or VfB Stuttgart from behind however. A trip to London may not be the easiest thing in this situation. After all, Arsenal sit pretty well on the table, with 13 points from six matches.

OU1490 ZAG 1130-1235 STN A320 9A-CTK (21/01/25)

Celtic Glasgow vs BSC Young Boys

21st/9 pts vs. 36th/0 pts

21.00h CET (20.00h local time), Celtic Park, Glasgow

It is one final away trip for Young Boys before their European campaign is over. They will face a Celtic side in fine European form that still dreams of making it through to the knockout stages. YB on their side will hope to finally get some points from the league phase however. They are one of three teams already eliminated before the penultimate round of the league phase.

QS432P BTS 1710-1830 BRN B38M OK-SWI (20/01/25, ferry flight)

QS4320 BRN 1100-1230 GLA B38M OK-SWI (21/01/25)

Feyenoord Rotterdam vs. FC Bayern München

18th/10 pts vs. 10th/12 pts

21.00h, De Kuip, Rotterdam

Leaders of the German Bundesliga, Bayern travel to Rotterdam to improve their chances on a direct entry into the round of 16. Before the game, they sit just behind the top 8, but a win should help them to put pressure on direct opponents like Borussia Dortmund or the French competitors from Lille and Brest.

LH2570 MUC 1720-1900 RTM A21N D-AIEL (21/01/25)

Paris St-Germain vs. Manchester City

25th/7 pts vs. 22nd/8 pts

21.00h, Parc des Princes, Paris

Both these teams sit surprisingly low in the table. PSG absolutely need points to at least make it into the knockout stages. A direct entry into the round of 16 seems almost impossible already. Man City face similar challenges, although at least they got one more point from their previous six matches.

AGR1008 MAN 1000-1225 LBG E145 PH-DWA (21/01/25)

BRO987A MAN 1600-1825 LBG B733 G-SWRD (21/01/25)

2Excel Aviation Boeing 737-300 G-SWRD
seen at Copenhagen in July 2022

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

Atalanta Bergamo vs. SK Sturm Graz

13th/11 pts vs. 29th/3 pts

21.00h, Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo

The Austrian champions are finding life in the Champions League a bit difficult it seems. They need maximum points in Bergamo to stand a chance of qualifying for the knock-out stages. Meanwhile, the hosts are looking to consolidate their already decent outcome in the league phase with another win.

ENT568P KTW xxxx-1445 GRZ B738 (20/01/25, ferry flight)

ENT569 GRZ 1545-xxxx BGY B738 (20/01/25)

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 1550-1830 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 D-ABHF (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)

Club Brugge vs. Juventus Turin

19th/10 pts vs. 14th/11 pts

21.00h CET, Jan Breydel Stadion, Brugge

These two teams are very close on the table, with notably Juventus possibly hoping for more points from the league phase so far. Yet, the Italian team must still count as favourites against the Belgian champions Brugge.

AZ9014 TRN 1530-1710 OST A20N (20/01/25)

AZ9927 OST 1800-2020 FCO A20N (20/01/25, ferry flight)

Red Star Belgrade vs. PSV Eindhoven

31st/3 pts vs. 23rd/8 pts

21.00h CET, Maksimir, Belgrade

CD1913 EIN xxxx-1115 BEG B738 (20/01/25)

CD040 EIN xxxx-1215 BEG B39M (20/01/25)

Liverpool FC vs. Lille OSC

1st/18 pts vs. 8th/13 pts

21.00h CET (20.00h local time), Anfield Road, Liverpool

VOE9240 LIL 1630-1635 LPL A320 EC-NOY (20/01/25)

ENT553 LIL 1800-1805 LPL B738 SP-ENM (20/01/25)

ZT751 LIL 1000-1000 LPL A321 G-POWN (21/01/25)

VOE9238 LIL 1015-1020 LPL A320 EC-NON (21/01/25)

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.