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

132 matches after the start of the league section of Europe’s premier competitors, the ultimate spherical of Champions League fixtures are upon us.

All 36 golf equipment are in motion on Wednesday night as an enthralling conclusion is staged, with a complete host of opponents nonetheless unsure of their fates. Whether or not it’s the battle for the highest eight or the combat to keep away from elimination, an abundance of high-profile clashes will preserve supporters entertained.

These eager to observe as a lot of the motion as attainable could have a tricky task on their fingers, undoubtedly needing a number of screens to maintain abreast of the drama as all 18 fixtures on Matchday 8 getting underway at the very same time.

However why are all of Wednesday’s European battles kicking off concurrently?

UEFA’s resolution to stage all 18 matches on the identical time has been made to make sure the sporting integrity of the competitors is upheld. With all groups kicking off at 20:00 GMT on Wednesday 29 January, it signifies that no aspect with one thing nonetheless to compete for will likely be sure of their destiny till all matches are concluded.

This resolution is to make sure that all sides take their last fixture significantly and that no membership has an unfair benefit heading into their final encounter.

Even within the competitors’s previous format, the ultimate matches inside a single group in the course of the group stage would each kick off on the identical time to make sure equity. It is a resolution that can also be taken on the final day of the season in most leagues.

There are a selection of groups who don’t have anything to play for on Matchday 8, with the likes of RB Leipzig, Girona, Bologna and Salzburg having all been eradicated. They’re unable to safe a prime 24 end that will see them attain the play-offs on the very least.

Liverpool and Barcelona are assured of their locations within the final 16 – bypassing the knockout play-off spherical with a prime eight end – however each can nonetheless end prime of the desk. The Reds solely want a draw towards PSV to make sure first place stays theirs.

Arsenal and Inter are roughly sure of reaching the final 16 robotically nevertheless it’s not formally assured, whereas the likes of Bayern Munich, Actual Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Aston Villa and AC Milan are all going to make the play-offs on the very least.

European giants Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are among the many groups nonetheless preventing for his or her development intto the knockout section.

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