New Delhi: The Champions League 2024-25 knockout playoff draw has set up some high-stakes matchups as top clubs fight for a spot in the last 16. With UEFA’s new format, teams that finished ninth to 24th in the league phase must go through a two-legged playoff, while the top eight teams already secured a direct spot in the next round.
The biggest tie of the round sees Premier League champions Manchester City take on 15-time UCL winners Real Madrid. This heavyweight clash will be played over two legs, with Los Blancos getting the crucial home advantage for the second match. Other key fixtures include Bayern Munich facing Celtic, AC Milan meeting Feyenoord, and PSG going up against fellow French side Brest. Juventus will face PSV Eindhoven, while Borussia Dortmund will take on Sporting.
UEFA Champions League 2024-25 knockout playoff fixtures
The first legs will take place on February 11 and 12, with the return fixtures on February 18 and 19. Here’s the full schedule:
| Match | First leg date | Second leg date |
|---|---|---|
| Brest vs PSG | Feb. 11 | Feb. 18 |
| Monaco vs Benfica | Feb. 11 | Feb. 18 |
| Juventus vs PSV Eindhoven | Feb. 11 | Feb. 18 |
| Feyenoord vs AC Milan | Feb. 12 | Feb. 19 |
| Manchester City vs Real Madrid | Feb. 12 | Feb. 19 |
| Celtic vs Bayern Munich | Feb. 12 | Feb. 19 |
| Club Brugge vs Atalanta | Feb. 11 | Feb. 18 |
| Sporting CP vs Borussia Dortmund | Feb. 12 | Feb. 19 |
These matchups will decide which teams join Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona, and the rest of the top-eight finishers in the round of 16. Fans can expect drama, surprises, and intense battles as Europe’s best clubs fight to stay in the competition.
Understanding the new UEFA Champions League knockout playoff draw format
In the revamped Champions League format for the 2024-25 season, the knockout playoff draw involves teams that finished 9th to 24th in the league phase. These teams are divided into seeded (9th to 16th place) and unseeded (17th to 24th place) groups. During the draw, each seeded team is paired with an unseeded team, ensuring that seeded teams play the second leg at home.
This structure aims to reward higher-ranked teams with a potential advantage in the two-legged ties. The winners of these playoffs advance to the Round of 16, joining the top eight teams from the league phase who have already secured their spots.
The Champions League 2024-25 knockout playoff draw has set up intense matchups, with Manchester City facing Real Madrid in a blockbuster tie as top clubs battle for a spot in the last 16. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
