The group stage of the Champions League has concluded, with a total of 5 teams from the Big Five leagues eliminated: 2 from La Liga, and 1 each from Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1.

Since the Champions League expanded its format, the group stage might look like a straightforward task for the Big Five leagues because many weaker and smaller league teams have joined. But it seems that’s not true. Apart from the Premier League teams being very competitive, 5 teams from the Big Five leagues ended up ranked below 24th place, failing to secure even a spot in the knockout playoffs and getting eliminated directly, with no longer a relegation to the Europa League.

There are 5 teams from the Big Five leagues ranked between 25th and 36th in the Champions League group stage—quite embarrassing!

• Marseille: 25th place, third in Ligue 1, eliminated!
• Athletic Bilbao: 29th place, 13th in La Liga, eliminated!
• Napoli: 30th place, fourth in Serie A and the defending champions, eliminated. It must be said that Conte’s team struggles when juggling both Champions League and domestic league commitments.
• Eintracht Frankfurt: 33rd place, eighth in the Bundesliga, eliminated!
• Villarreal: 35th place, only 1 point in 8 rounds, fourth in La Liga, eliminated. Truly a team that excels domestically but fails internationally, and such a club is looked down upon by La Liga fans.

Winning the hearts of European football fans, these Big Five league teams were eliminated directly in the Champions League group stage after the format change, which is a blow to their reputation and seriously harms their leagues’ UEFA coefficients. It seems that in future seasons, the Premier League’s 5 Champions League spots are guaranteed: 6 teams participate, 5 qualify directly, and 1 enters the knockout playoff as a seeded team. Their strength is unmatched by the other four major leagues.