Bayer Leverkusen's hopes of qualifying directly for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 hinge on the result of their final game of the league phase against Sparta Prague on Wednesday (kick-off: 9pm CET).

It will soon become clear whether the revised Champions League—with titans Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich among the playoff teams—is better than before.

The only previous meetings between Bayer Leverkusen and Sparta Prague in European competition came in the 2007-08 UEFA Cup group stage with Die Werkself winning 1-0 at BayArena. Sparta Prague’s ...

Letna Stadium forms the backdrop for a ‘David vs Goliath’ UEFA Champions League clash between Sparta Prague and Inter. Spirits are conflicting in this Wednesday-held European fixture, with the visitors pursuing three points to consolidate their chances in a nail-biting top-eight race.

The UEFA Champions League league phase concludes on Wednesday, Jan. 29 with all 36 clubs playing at the same time.

How do you follow all 18 games on 'Matchday Mayhem'? Come up with a running order and watch a bit of every one in turn, of course

The UCL league phase is over and we now know what the new format looks and feels like. But has it been a success?

Here's the state of play after the conclusion of the first stage of the Champions League: Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, Aston Villa. Monaco or Brest vs. Paris Saint-Germain or Benfica (for the right to play Liverpool or Barcelona)

Closing in on automatic qualification for the last 16, Inter Milan will resume their Champions League campaign on Wednesday, when they visit struggling Sparta Prague. Inter's 13 points from six games puts them on track to avoid the playoffs, while Sparta's modest tally of four leaves them in the elimination places.

UEFA Champions League results on Wednesday: Real Madrid (ESP) 5 (Rodrygo 23, 34, Mbappe 48, Vinicius 55, 77) RB Salzburg (AUT) 1 (Bidstrup 85) Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) 4 (Dembele 56, Barcola 60, Neves 78, Ramos 90+6) Manchester City (ENG) 2 (Grealish 50, Haaland 53)

Letna Stadium forms the backdrop for a ‘David vs Goliath’ UEFA Champions League clash between Sparta Prague and Inter. Spirits are conflicting in this Wednesday-held European fixture, with the

Nedved made 655 club appearances, in which he notched 148 goals and 120 assists, winning three Serie A titles, among 16 other trophies. But perhaps his biggest achievement came back in 2003, when he won the Ballon d'Or, edging out Thierry Henry and Paolo Maldini for the award in the process.