A decisive night for qualification

The final matchday of the Champions League league phase will determine not only the top eight teams that qualify directly for the round of 16, but also the 16 clubs forced into a two-legged playoff round between positions 9 and 24.

With so much on the line, margins are thin—and discipline could make all the difference.

No reset on yellow cards

One crucial detail shapes the stakes: yellow cards are not wiped clean after the league phase. That means any player already on a booking must avoid another caution or face suspension in the next round.

For teams finishing in the top eight, a booking could rule a player out of the round of 16. For those heading into the playoffs, it could mean missing the two-legged knockout tie.

Star names walking the line

Several high-profile players are one yellow card away from suspension. Jude Bellingham carries that risk for Real Madrid, while Barcelona must manage situations involving Fermín López, Marc Casadó and Gerard Martín.

The concern is even greater at Atlético Madrid, where Pablo Barrios, Clément Lenglet, Robin Le Normand and both Simeone figures—Giuliano on the pitch and Diego on the touchline—are all one booking away.

In total, 65 players across the 36 teams remain under disciplinary threat heading into the final round.

Full list of players one yellow away from suspension

• PSG: Nuno Mendes
• Real Madrid: Jude Bellingham
• Manchester City: Savinho, O’Reilly
• Bayern Munich: Michael Olise
• Liverpool: Conor Bradley, Curtis Jones
• Inter: Alessandro Bastoni, Lautaro Martínez, Henrikh Mkhitaryan
• Chelsea: Enzo Fernández, Andrey Santos
• Borussia Dortmund: Karim Adeyemi
• Barcelona: Marc Casadó, Fermín López, Gerard Martín
• Arsenal: Nørgaard
• Bayer Leverkusen: Kofane
• Atlético Madrid: Robin Le Normand, Pablo Barrios, Clément Lenglet, Giuliano Simeone, Diego Simeone
• Benfica: Dodi Lukébakio, Nicolás Otamendi
• Atalanta: Marten de Roon, Yunus Musah
• Villarreal: Renato Veiga, Pedraza, Marcelino
• Juventus: Cabal, Cambiaso, Kelly, Manuel Locatelli
• Eintracht Frankfurt: —
• Club Brugge: Raphael Onyedika
• Tottenham: Richarlison, Randal Kolo Muani
• PSV: Joey Veerman
• Ajax: Baas, Gaaei, Wout Weghorst
• Napoli: Amir Rrahmani, Noa Lang
• Sporting CP: Araújo, Pedro Gonçalves, Luis Suárez
• Olympiacos: Dani García, Mehdi Taremi
• Slavia Prague: Mbodji
• Bodø/Glimt: Auklend, Berg
• Marseille: Nayef Aguerd, Leonardo Balerdi, Roberto De Zerbi
• Copenhagen: Hatzidiakos, Marcos Joan, Neestrup
• Monaco: Mohammed Salisu, Aleksandr Golovin
• Galatasaray: Okan Buruk, Ismail Jakobs, Mario Lemina, Davinson Sánchez
• Union Saint-Gilloise: Burgess, Van de Perre, Mac Allister, Niang
• Qarabag: Matheus, Medina
• Athletic Club: —
• Newcastle United: Joelinton, Dan Burn, Malick Thiaw
• Pafos: Mislav Oršić
• Kairat: Arad, Da Costa, Tuyakbayev

Discipline could define the knockout path

As the Champions League enters its most decisive moment, goals and results will dominate the headlines—but discipline may quietly shape the bracket.

One mistimed tackle, one late challenge, and a team’s plans for Europe could change entirely.

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