Why every Champions League game kicks off at the same time on Matchday 8 | OneFootball

132 matches after the beginning of the league phase of Europe's premier competition, the final round of Champions League fixtures are upon us.

All 36 clubs are in action on Wednesday evening as an enthralling conclusion is staged, with a whole host of competitors still uncertain of their fates. Whether it be the battle for the top eight or the fight to avoid elimination, an abundance of high-profile clashes will keep supporters entertained.

Those keen to watch as much of the action as possible will have a tough assignment on their hands, undoubtedly needing multiple screens to keep abreast of the drama as all 18 fixtures on Matchday 8 getting underway at the exact same time.

But why are all of Wednesday's European battles kicking off simultaneously?

Why do all 18 Champions League fixtures kick off at same time?

Pep Guardiola will endure a nervy evening on Wednesday / Michael Regan/GettyImages

UEFA's decision to stage all 18 matches at the same time has been made to ensure the sporting integrity of the competition is upheld. With all teams kicking off at 20:00 GMT on Wednesday 29 January, it means that no side with something still to compete for will be certain of their fate until all matches are concluded.

This decision is to ensure that all sides take their final fixture seriously and that no club has an unfair advantage heading into their last encounter.

Even in the competition's old format, the final matches within a single group during the group stage would both kick off at the same time to ensure fairness. It's a decision that is also taken on the last day of the season in most leagues.

Champions League Matchday 8 fixtures

Which teams have qualified for the Champions League knockout phase?

Liverpool have blitzed their league phase opponents / Carl Recine/GettyImages

There are a number of teams who have nothing to play for on Matchday 8, with the likes of RB Leipzig, Girona, Bologna and Salzburg having all been eliminated. They are unable to secure a top 24 finish that would see them reach the play-offs at the very least.

Liverpool and Barcelona are assured of their places in the last 16 - bypassing the knockout play-off round with a top eight finish - but both can still finish top of the table. The Reds only need a draw against PSV to ensure first place stays theirs.

Arsenal and Inter are more or less certain of reaching the last 16 automatically but it's not officially guaranteed, while the likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Aston Villa and AC Milan are all going to make the play-offs at the very least.

European giants Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are among the teams still fighting for their progression intto the knockout phase.