German clubs in the Champions League
Bayern are almost through – another Bundesliga team on the verge of elimination
12/11/2025 – 2:02 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
Six of the eight matchdays in the Champions League have already been played. The situation for the German teams is different.
The “new” Champions League is in the middle of its second season. Since the reform, there is no longer a group stage, but rather the teams compete against each other in a league format. Three quarters of the league phase has been played, the sixth matchday ended yesterday, Wednesday. FC Bayern celebrated a 3-1 win against Sporting Lisbon, Frankfurt lost in Barcelona, Dortmund (against Bodø/Glimt) and Leverkusen (against Newcastle) played draws. In the table, the situation for the four German representatives before the final games in January is different.
The German record champions have won all games except the game at Arsenal and are in second place in the Champions League table. And with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and PSV Eindhoven, Bayern have viable opponents in front of them. A place among the best eight teams, which means direct qualification for the round of 16, is realistic.
Sports director Max Eberl remembered on Tuesday last season, in which Bayern had to make it to the playoffs, which cost valuable energy. “We need one more win, then you’ll definitely be in the top eight,” calculated Eberl, “and that will give us two weeks less in England.”
Last year, 16 points were enough to land directly in the round of 16. A simulation by data provider Opta before the 2024/25 season showed that even 15 points were enough for the top eight in 73 percent of cases. But Bavaria doesn’t want to rely on that. This should be fixed with a win.
Remaining program: Royal Union Saint-Gilloise (home), PSV Eindhoven (away)
The direct round of 16 is now difficult for BVB to reach. The missed home win against Bodø/Glimt has reduced their chances, and instead of fourth place, Dortmund are in tenth place. After the game against the Norwegians, sports director Sebastian Kehl spoke of “arrogance” in BVB’s demeanor. “The players should be aware of what they lost here today,” he said.