At the end of this season, it is therefore the first five (and not four) in the rankings in Italy and Germany who will participate in the group stage of the 2024-2025 version has 36 teams. With the direct effect of, for example, putting an end to the fight for 4th place between Dortmund (56 pts) and Leipzig (56), since they will both qualify if they manage to keep their position. We also see more clearly in Italy where Bologna (59 pts) should finish in the top 5 and where fifth place should be played out between Roma (55) and Atalanta (51).
It is therefore already possible to embark on a provisional assessment of the minimum number of Belgians (excluding Belgian clubs) who should – except in the case of transfer – appear in the Champions League next season. Given the current rankings in Europe, Romelu Lukaku (AS Roma), Alexis Saelemaekers (Bologna), Joseph Nonge (Juventus), Loïs Openda (Leipzig), Julien Duranville (Dortmund) and Noah Mbamba (Leverkusen) will be there for the Italian clubs and Germans.
Add to this Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku (Manchester City), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal) and Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa) for England; Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) and Axel Witsel (Atletico) in Spain; Johan Bakayoko (PSV) for the Eredivisie. Others could still be added later depending on the end of the season and then a potential qualification via the play-offs. We think of Dries Mertens (Galatasaray), Michy Batshuayi (Fenerbahçe) or Nicolas Raskin (Rangers).
Worry for the Red Devils: Romelu Lukaku leaves with injury against AC Milan!
