Exciting Champions League Play-Off Round Draw Revealed
In a thrilling draw on Friday, reigning champions Real Madrid were paired up against 2023 victors Manchester City in what promises to be the standout fixture of this season’s Champions League play-off round.
This will be the fourth consecutive year that these two powerhouse teams will face each other in a knockout round, with Real Madrid emerging victorious in a penalty shoot-out during last season’s quarter-finals.
Manchester City, who barely made it to the knockout stage by finishing 22nd in the league stage in the first season of the new competition format, will host the first leg before traveling to Spain for the second leg.
Other exciting matchups include Celtic taking on six-time European champions Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain facing surprise team Brest in an all-French clash, Juventus competing against PSV Eindhoven, and Feyenoord playing against AC Milan in two matchups involving former tournament winners.
Last season’s Europa League champions Atalanta will meet Club Brugge from Belgium after narrowly missing out on direct entry to the last 16. Portugal’s Sporting will go head-to-head with last season’s finalists, Borussia Dortmund, while Monaco will encounter Benfica after a defeat during the league phase.
The play-off matches are scheduled for next month, with the eight winning teams advancing to the last 16 alongside the top eight teams from the league stage, which include Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, and Aston Villa.
The draw for the remaining part of the competition is partially pre-determined, with the winner of the City vs. Real Madrid tie set to face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.
The draw for the last 16 and beyond is set for February 21, with speculation on whether Liverpool, finishing first in the league phase, will gain any advantage. Arne Slot’s squad will face either PSG, Brest, Monaco, or Benfica in the last 16 in March.
Mark your calendars for the Champions League final at the iconic Allianz Arena in Munich on Saturday, May 31, for what promises to be an epic conclusion to a thrilling season of European football.
