The UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off draw has set the stage for a series of high-stakes clashes, with defending champions Manchester City drawn against 14-time winners Real Madrid in a blockbuster encounter.
The knockout play-offs, a new feature in this season’s format, determine which teams progress to the last 16, making each match a crucial winner-takes-all showdown. Celtic, who barely secured a play-off spot, face German giants Bayern Munich, while Paris Saint-Germain take on surprise Ligue 1 contenders Brest.
Manchester City vs. Real Madrid: A Clash of European Giants
Manchester City barely squeezed into the top 24 teams with a 3-1 win over Club Brugge, but their low league-phase ranking means an early battle with Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid. This marks another chapter in the fierce rivalry between the two European powerhouses, who have met in the knockout rounds in recent seasons.
Full UEFA Champions League Knockout Phase Play-Off Draw:
- Club Brugge vs. Atalanta
- Sporting CP vs. Borussia Dortmund
- Manchester City vs. Real Madrid
- Celtic vs. Bayern Munich
- Juventus vs. PSV Eindhoven
- Feyenoord vs. AC Milan
- Brest vs. Paris Saint-Germain
- Monaco vs. Benfica
The first legs will take place on February 11 and 12, with return matches on February 18 and 19. Meanwhile, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa have already qualified for the last 16 and will find out their opponents in the next draw on February 21.
Also, with high-profile clashes on the horizon, the UEFA Champions League knockout phase promises intense battles as teams fight for a place in the Round of 16.
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