With a spot in the knockouts already secure, Bayern Munich have a chance to sneak into the top eight of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday when the league phase comes to a close. Bayern enter Matchday 8 in 15th place but are just one point shy of a spot in the top eight and so direct passageway to the round of 16 is a real possibility for Vincent Kompany's side.

Spurs have opened talks with Bayern Munich to sign Mathys Tel; Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd are also interested; French U21 international has scored 16 goals in 83 appearances in all competitions for

Bayern Munich enter Wednesday's Champions League Matchday 8 knowing that they will at least be in the playoffs, but a victory and some help could lock up a spot in the top-eight for the Bavarians. All 36 teams will be in action as 18 games will take place simultaneously at 3 p.

Bayern are 15th in the standings after seven matches, one point below eighth-placed Bayer Leverkusen, and are guaranteed a place in the last 16 as they prepare to face a Bratislava side who have lost

The Bavarians have 48 points and extended their advantage over second-placed Bayer Leverkusen after they beat Freiburg 2-1 on January 25, whereas Holstein Kiel held Wolfsburg to a 2-2 stalemate on January 24 but are second last in 17th place with 12 points.

Celtic will face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League Play Offs. After a night of permutations in Europe’s top competition, Celtic were beaten by Aston Villa in an enthralling game at Villa Park.

Bayern Munich's hopes of qualifying directly to the Champions League knockouts are dealt a blow as they lost at Feyenoord.

On loan at Stuttgart, the 28-year-old Alexander Nübel is another potential successor for Neuer. Urbig’s signing means Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness can likely count on Nübel in goal again next season, too. Nübel extended his Bayern contract last year to 2029.

The UEFA Champions League's first-ever league phase came to a dramatic close on Wednesday, setting up for an equally entertaining knockout stage that begins in two weeks' time. The introduction of the new format means the Champions League will introduce a new phase of competition in February when 16 teams will take part in the knockout round playoffs.