Champions League table: Atalanta reach play-offs, Bologna eliminated | OneFootball

Atalanta have secured a place in the Champions League knockout league phase play-offs but look well placed to get a ticket for straight access into the round-of-16, while Bologna became the first Serie A team to be eliminated from the competition.

La Dea thrashed Sturm Graz 5-0 and their hopes of avoiding the two-legged round in February will depend on next week’s fixture at Barcelona.

epa11842755 Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere scores the 3-0 lead during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Atalanta BC and SK Sturm Graz at Bergamo Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, 21 January 2025. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

Meanwhile, the Rossoblu finally grabbed their first Champions League win of the season in dramatic fashion, coming back from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund with two goals in quick succession.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – JANUARY 21: Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, gives instructions to Emil Holm during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Bologna FC 1909 and Borussia Dortmund at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on January 21, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Juventus wasted the chance to increase their chances of directly reaching the round-of-16 by picking up their third draw from their last four European fixtures.

epa11843261 Juve head coach Thiago Motta looks on during the UEFA Champions League league phase match between Club Brugge KV and Juventus FC, in Bruges, Belgium, 21 January 2025. EPA-EFE/OLIVIER MATTHYS

Liverpool and Barcelona are guaranteed in the top eight, with Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Inter, Aston Villa, Brest, Monaco and Lille already sure of taking part at least in the play-offs alongside Atalanta.

However, the Nerazzurri could make a significant step forward to finishing in the top eight tomorrow by beating Sparta Prague, with Milan also forced to beat Girona if they want to skip the play-off route.