The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League has introduced a revamped format, transitioning from the traditional group stage to a single 36-team league phase. Following this phase, the top eight teams advance directly to the Round of 16, while teams placed 9th to 24th enter the knockout phase play-offs to vie for the remaining spots.
Knockout Phase Play-off Draw
The draw for the knockout phase play-offs was conducted on January 31, 2025, in Nyon, Switzerland. The matchups are as follows:
Atalanta vs. Club Brugge: Atalanta, finishing 9th in the league phase, faces Club Brugge, who secured the 24th spot.
Borussia Dortmund vs. Sporting CP: Dortmund, placed 10th, takes on Sporting CP, who ended 23rd.
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City: In a marquee clash, 11th-placed Real Madrid is set to battle 22nd-placed Manchester City.
Bayern Munich vs. Celtic: Bayern, finishing 12th, meets Celtic, who secured the 21st position.
Milan vs. Feyenoord: 13th-placed Milan is drawn against 20th-placed Feyenoord.
PSV Eindhoven vs. Juventus: PSV, in 14th place, faces 19th-placed Juventus.
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Brest: PSG, finishing 15th, takes on 18th-placed Brest.
Benfica vs. Monaco: 16th-placed Benfica is set to compete against 17th-placed Monaco.
Highlighting the Key Matchups
Among these fixtures, several stand out due to their historical significance and the caliber of the teams involved:
- Real Madrid vs. Manchester City: This encounter marks the fourth consecutive year these European powerhouses face each other in the knockout stages. Their recent history includes City's semi-final loss to Real in the 2021/22 season, followed by a 4-0 victory the next year, and a subsequent elimination by Real on penalties last year. Both teams are eager to assert dominance in this renewed rivalry.
- Bayern Munich vs. Celtic: Bayern's executives have expressed enthusiasm about playing at Celtic Park, renowned for its passionate atmosphere. Max Eberl, Bayern's board member for sport, acknowledged Celtic's fighting spirit and emphasized the need for an all-out effort to advance.
- PSV Eindhoven vs. Juventus: This matchup rekindles memories of past European encounters, with both clubs boasting rich histories in continental competitions. The tactical battle between PSV's dynamic play and Juventus's disciplined approach promises to be intriguing.
Looking Ahead
The first legs of these play-off matches are scheduled for February 11 and 12, with the return legs on February 18 and 19, 2025. The winners will progress to the Round of 16, joining the top eight teams from the league phase. The subsequent draw for the Round of 16 is set for February 21, 2025.
As the competition intensifies, football fans worldwide eagerly anticipate these high-stakes clashes, each carrying the promise of memorable moments and the relentless pursuit of European glory.
