"Well, consider it "lesson learned" because the heavyweights haven't messed around this season. Of the current top 12 teams in the Opta rankings, 11 are in the Champions League field, and all of them currently have at least 10 points. In 15th place, Barcelona is the lowest of these teams in the table, and they're only three points out of fifth. Even Liverpool, who have battled poor form, misfit pieces and off-the-pitch drama, is a comfortable ninth, three points from second."
"PSG won only one of their first five matches and rallied to finish 15th in the 36-team table; their punishment was a round-of-16 matchup with top seed Liverpool. (This became more of a punishment for Liverpool when PSG's best-in-the-world form snapped into place over the winter.) Real Madrid lost three of their first five and drew Manchester City, which went four games winless, in the playoff round just to get to the round of 16."
Last season's slow starts by several elite clubs led to immediate consequences in the Champions League, including difficult knockout draws and playoff rounds. This season, top-ranked teams have responded, with 11 of the top 12 Opta-ranked teams present and all holding at least 10 points. Barcelona sits 15th in the 36-team table but remains close to qualification positions, while Liverpool occupies ninth despite form and off-field issues. The battle for top-eight seeds will intensify over the final matchdays, and clubs such as Benfica and Olympiacos are emerging as contenders for remaining knockout berths.
Read at ESPN.com
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