Champions League Standings: Atalanta Advances, Bologna Eliminated
The Champions League group stage reached a crucial point after Matchday 7, with several teams solidifying their positions. Here are the key takeaways from the latest results:
- Atalanta secured at least a playoff spot with an emphatic 5-0 win over Sturm Graz. They still have a chance to qualify directly for the round of 16 depending on their match against Barcelona next week.
- Bologna earned their first Champions League victory in dramatic fashion, coming from behind to defeat Borussia Dortmund 2-1. However, they were still eliminated from the competition.
- Juventus missed an opportunity to improve their chances of direct qualification by drawing 0-0 with Club Brugge, their third draw in four European matches.
- Liverpool and Barcelona have already clinched spots in the top 8. Several other teams including Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Inter, Aston Villa and others have secured at least playoff berths.
The full standings after 7 matches are as follows:
| Rank | Team | Played | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liverpool | 7 | 13 | 21 |
| 2 | Barcelona | 7 | 15 | 18 |
| 3 | Atletico Madrid | 7 | 5 | 15 |
The group stage continues next week with several crucial matches that will further shape the final standings and determine which teams advance to the knockout rounds.
Aditya Kapur