A crazy night of Champions League action on Wednesday concluded the league phase for another season. All six Premier League sides have progressed, with only Newcastle having to play in next month's play-off round. Holders Paris St Germain and Real Madrid both failed to seal automatic spots. PSG could only draw 1-1 at home to Newcastle United, a result that left both sides facing a playoff despite starting the final night in the automatic places.
Back in the Champions League for the first time since 2022/23, Chelsea will aim to go all the way for the first time since they beat Manchester City 1-0 in the 2020/21 final under current England head coach Thomas Tuchel. The Blues finished fourth in the 2024/25 Premier League at the end of their first season under Enzo Maresca and have landed meetings with six-time Champions League winners Bayern Munich and five-time winners Barcelona among their league phase matches in the Champions League.
Back in the Champions League for a third consecutive season, Arsenal are hoping to go all the way in 2025/26 after being beaten home and away by champions Paris Saint-Germain in last season's semi-finals. The Gunners finished second by 10 points to Liverpool in the 2024/25 Premier League and were handed dates with 2025/26 Champions League finalists Inter and six-time winners Bayern Munich among their league phase matches. Arsenal have reached the knockout stage in each of their Champions League appearances since the 2000/01 season.
