By Seyi Babalola
At least 15 teams have already qualified for this season’s Champions League Round of 16 and knockout stages.
The new 36-team model is already reaching its peak in the league phase.
Only two of the eight clubs that will proceed directly to the round of 16 have been confirmed.
In February, 16 teams will compete in a knockout phase.
Clubs ranked 9th to 24th will advance to the play-off round, while those ranked 25th to 36th will be eliminated.
Three clubs have already been eliminated, and nine more will be ousted next week.
Unlike in previous years, no teams will drop into the Europa League.
Round of 16: Liverpool are guaranteed to finish first or second and this assures the Reds of a top seeding position in the bracket.
Barcelona also clinched a top-eight spot with a spectacular winner in a 5-4 comeback victory over Benfica.
Teams guaranteed at least a spot in the knockout playoff round: Atlético Madrid, Atalanta, Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Internazionale, Aston Villa, Brest, AS Monaco, Lille, AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Munich, and Juventus.