It's a kinder format that leaves plenty to be decided on the final day. Smaller clubs will unquestionably advance to the direct elimination stages of the competition, where the stakes and pressure are higher. Upsets in the playoff round are likely to happen, with plenty of Davids getting a chance to dispatch any struggling Goliaths.

Despite three losses in their last four Champions League games — as many as in their previous 29 — they are expected to win their remaining two home games against Red Bull Salzburg and Brest after a daunting trip to high-flying Atalanta, and they have just a seven per cent chance of falling through the early trapdoor.

Matchday 5 of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League season witnessed some memorable performances. Here are the top five.

We're are now more than halfway done with the the Champions League league phase. Matchweek 5 re-shuffled the standings and now the top four leagues in Europe each have one team representative in the top four of the table.