Champions League Last 16 Draw: Who’s Facing Who?
The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League is entering its thrilling knockout stage as 24 teams prepare to battle it out for a spot in the quarter-finals. After a hard-fought league phase, the draw has revealed some exciting matchups for the round of 16.
Real Madrid’s Challenge
Real Madrid, having secured their spot in the knockout phase, face a daunting challenge in the next round. Their opposition, Manchester City, is sure to test their mettle. Both teams have suffered injury setbacks, but with key players like Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé nursing injuries, Real Madrid’s manager Carlo Ancelotti will have to find creative solutions to field a competitive squad.
Liverpool and Barcelona Lead the Way
Liverpool and Barcelona were among the first teams to book their place in the last 16, with the Reds having sealed their qualification early after a solid performance in the league phase, including a 2-0 win over Real Madrid. Barcelona joined them by overcoming Dortmund 3-2. These two powerhouses will be looking to make a deep run in the tournament.
Other Big Names
Other teams that have confirmed their positions in the knockout stage include giants such as Bayern Munich, PSG, and Juventus. With the stakes higher than ever, every team in the round of 16 will be aiming to make a strong statement and secure a spot in the quarter-finals.
The New Knockout Format
This season sees the introduction of a new format for the knockout rounds. The top eight teams automatically progress to the last 16, while those finishing 9th to 24th will compete in the new knockout phase play-offs. The winners of those play-offs will join the top eight in the round of 16, making this an especially exciting phase.
When is the Draw?
The Champions League round of 16 draw took place on Friday, February 21, with fixtures set to be played in March. Clubs will find out their opponents and their potential route to the final. The first legs will be played on March 4/5, with second legs on March 11/12. The new format will mean that seeded teams will likely play their first leg away and return for the second leg at home.
Who Could Be Drawn Against Who?
The draw has already set some interesting possibilities. For instance, teams finishing first or second, like Liverpool and Barcelona, could face the winners of play-off rounds between teams like Monaco, Brest, PSG, and Benfica. Meanwhile, other teams like Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta will be battling it out in the play-offs to secure their spot.
As the competition heats up, predictions on how the teams will fare are already making the rounds. For in-depth Football Predictions, make sure to keep up with the latest insights, analysis, and expert tips as we head into the knockout stages.
