epa11842780 Charles de Ketelaere of Atalanta celebrates after scoring a 3-0 lead during the UEFA Champions League football match between Atalanta BC and SK Sturm Graz at Bergamo Stadium, Bergamo, Italy, January 21, 2025. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA
Atalanta have secured a place in the Champions League knockout stage play-offs, but look well placed to secure a ticket for direct access to the round of 16, while Bologna have become the first team in Serie A to be eliminated from the competition.
La Dea beat Sturm Graz 5-0 and their hopes of avoiding the home-and-away round in February will depend on next week’s match in Barcelona.
Meanwhile, the Rossoblu finally secured their first Champions League win of the season in spectacular fashion, coming from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund with two consecutive goals.
-Juventus missed the chance to increase their chances of reaching the knockout stages directly by picking up their third draw in their last four European matches.
Liverpool and Barcelona are guaranteed to make the top eight, with Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Inter, Aston Villa, Brest, Monaco and Lille already certain to make at least the play-offs alongside Atalanta .
However, the Nerazzurri could take a significant step forward to finish in the top eight tomorrow by beating Sparta Prague, with Milan also forced to beat Girona if they are to jump the play-off route.
