Champions League Final Day Drama: Ajax, Napoli and Benfica Face Elimination Threat

The Champions League league phase reaches its dramatic conclusion on Wednesday night, and for some of Europe’s biggest names, the margin for error has completely vanished. As the competition’s new format tightens the screws, Ajax, Napoli and Benfica are among the high-profile clubs staring nervously at the exit door.

Ajax, four-time European champions, find themselves in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable position. Sitting 32nd out of 36 teams with just six points, the Dutch giants host Olympiakos knowing that only a win—and a favourable swing in results elsewhere—can keep their European hopes alive.

Napoli are also walking a tightrope. The Italian side sit 25th with eight points, just outside the qualification bracket. Their task could hardly be tougher as they welcome Chelsea in a must-win encounter. Anything short of victory could end their Champions League journey prematurely.

For Benfica, led by Jose Mourinho, the challenge is even more daunting. The Portuguese giants occupy 29th place and must overcome Real Madrid to stand any chance of progression. Three points are essential, and even then, qualification will depend on how results unfold across Europe.

Under the competition rules, the top eight teams qualify automatically for the last 16, while clubs ranked ninth to 24th enter a two-legged playoff to fight for knockout places. The bottom 12 teams are eliminated outright, a fate already confirmed for Kairat Almaty, Eintracht Frankfurt, Villarreal and Slavia Prague.

Opinion: A Ruthless Format That Spares No Giants

This final matchday underlines a harsh reality: history and reputation offer no protection in modern European football. Ajax, Napoli and Benfica are clubs steeped in Champions League tradition, yet all three are being pushed to the brink by a format that rewards consistency and punishes slow starts.

While some may argue the system is unforgiving, it undeniably delivers drama. Every match feels consequential, every mistake amplified. For fans, it’s thrilling; for the giants involved, it’s a wake-up call.

If any of these clubs bow out, it won’t just be an upset—it will be a reminder that the Champions League has entered a new era, one where survival is earned the hard way and no badge is too big to fall.