How many points are needed to avoid Champions League exit in league phase?

Champions League teams will need at least 11 points to qualify for the playoff and 16 to get direct access to the Round of 16, based on performances in the 2024-25 season, the first one with a new format for Europe’s elite competition.

Juventus, Napoli, Inter and Atalanta hope to advance to the next Champions League phase in 2025-26, but currently only Cristian Chivu’s side has a genuine chance to get a direct place in the Round of 16.

Juve and Napoli, in fact, have collected three and four points in the opening four matches, which means they’ll need a drastic turnaround in the second half of the league phase to qualify for the playoffs.

It is, in fact, practically impossible for either side to finish in the top eight, given that the 8th-placed team in 2024-25 earned 16 points.

Juventus are still due to meet Bodo/Glimt, Pafos, Benfica and Monaco, while Napoli will be up against Qarabag, Copenhagen, Benfica and Chelsea.

Juventus are still without victories in the Champions League this term, but fans at non-GamStop casinos still believe the Old Lady can qualify for the next phase in Europe’s elite competition.

New Bianconeri boss Spalletti surely feels the same: “What gives me confidence is that we have talented players with quality who can make the difference when taking men on,” the Italian tactician said after a 1-1 draw against Sporting CP.

“Dusan [Vlahovic] worked so hard throughout too. We need to improve the speed of our passing, to circulate the ball and make the opponents move around.

“I still believe this is a strong team. I am convinced that if we continue with this spirit, we will win many games.”

Napoli boss Conte, on the other hand, has insisted that many of his players are still not accustomed to playing two games per week as, in the previous campaign, they were not involved in any European competition and managed to win the Serie A title by playing just once a week.

“We must all understand that it’s more difficult for the footballers, for the doctors and for me to prepare for one game every three days,” Conte said after the latest draw against Frankfurt.

“There are injuries and problems that we are facing in the best way. It’s not fair to mention those who are absent. I think the lads are still doing very well.

“The boys have absorbed the De Bruyne blow, we are struggling on numerical terms because today we didn’t have many options in midfield. We had to find a solution with Elmas. We have to face a new situation this season, not just on the pitch, but especially off the field. The footballers don’t train the same way, so we must manage them in the best way, under every aspect.”