The Champions League knockout phase is set, with thrilling matchups confirmed following the draw on Friday. One of the biggest clashes will see Manchester City take on Real Madrid, while Bayern Munich will travel to Celtic in a highly anticipated showdown.
Champions League Knockout Play-off Fixtures
The eight knockout play-off ties for the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League are as follows:
- Brest vs Paris Saint-Germain
- Monaco vs Benfica
- Juventus vs PSV Eindhoven
- Feyenoord vs Milan
- Manchester City vs Real Madrid
- Celtic vs Bayern MĂ¼nchen
- Club Brugge vs Atalanta
- Sporting CP vs Borussia Dortmund
These ties mark the first round of knockout play-offs under the new format, with the winners advancing to the Round of 16.
Key Dates for the Champions League Knockout Rounds
- Knockout play-offs: February 11/12 & 18/19, 2025
- Round of 16, quarter-final, and semi-final draw: February 21, 2025
- Round of 16: March 4/5 & 11/12, 2025
- Quarter-finals: April 8/9 & 15/16, 2025
- Semi-finals: April 29/30 & May 6/7, 2025
- Final: May 31, 2025
Teams Already Through to the Round of 16
Eight teams have already secured their spots in the last 16 based on their league phase rankings:
- Arsenal
- Aston Villa
- Atlético Madrid
- Barcelona
- Inter Milan
- Bayer Leverkusen
- Lille
- Liverpool
These clubs will await the winners of the knockout play-offs in the Round of 16 draw on February 21.
How the Draw Worked
The draw followed a structured process using seeded and unseeded teams based on their league phase rankings.
- Unseeded teams (ranked 17-24) were drawn first, assigned to specific positions in the bracket.
- Seeded teams (ranked 9-16) were drawn next, completing the pairings for the knockout play-offs.
- Seeded teams play the second leg at home, giving them a slight advantage.
This format ensures balanced matchups while rewarding higher-ranked teams with a favorable draw.
Read:Â Champions Trophy 2025: Tickets for Three Matches Sell Out Quickly
Blockbuster Matches Ahead
The knockout phase will bring intense competition, with some standout encounters. Manchester City vs Real Madrid promises to be another classic in their ongoing Champions League rivalry. Meanwhile, Celtic will face a tough challenge against Bayern Munich, and PSV Eindhoven will look to upset Juventus.
As the tournament enters its crucial phase, all eyes will be on these matchups to see which teams advance and move closer to Champions League glory.
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