The UEFA Champions League is gearing up for an electrifying Round of 16, with the highly anticipated draw set to take place on Friday, February 21, 2025, at 12:00 CET in Nyon, Switzerland.
This draw will determine the matchups between the top eight teams from the league phase and the eight winners of the recent knockout phase play-offs.
Knockout Phase Play-offs Recap
The knockout phase play-offs delivered intense and dramatic football as teams battled for a coveted spot in the Round of 16.
Results Summary:
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Brest
PSG dominated with an emphatic 10-0 aggregate win, including a 3-0 triumph in the first leg away from home.
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City
Real Madrid secured a thrilling 6-3 aggregate victory in this marquee clash. Kylian Mbappé shone brightly, scoring a hat-trick in the 3-1 second-leg win at the Santiago Bernabéu.
PSV Eindhoven vs. Juventus
PSV staged an impressive comeback, overturning a first-leg deficit to win 4-3 on aggregate. Ryan Flamingo’s decisive extra-time goal in the second leg sealed a memorable 3-1 win.
Feyenoord vs. AC Milan
Feyenoord pulled off a surprising upset with a 2-1 aggregate triumph. After a 1-0 home victory, they held AC Milan to a 1-1 draw at San Siro to progress.
Bayern Munich vs. Celtic
Bayern faced a determined Celtic side but advanced with a 3-2 aggregate win. Alphonso Davies’ late equalizer in the second leg proved crucial.
Club Brugge vs. Atalanta
Club Brugge showcased their quality by winning both legs, achieving a convincing 5-2 aggregate victory.
Borussia Dortmund vs. Sporting CP
Dortmund delivered a commanding performance, progressing with a 3-0 aggregate win, capped by a dominant second-leg showing.
Benfica vs. AS Monaco
In a nail-biting contest, Benfica edged Monaco with a 4-3 aggregate result, following a thrilling 3-3 draw in the second leg.
Teams Advancing to the Round of 16
The following teams have booked their spots:
Seeded Teams (Top 8 from League Phase):
- Liverpool (England)
- Barcelona (Spain)
- Arsenal (England)
- Inter Milan (Italy)
- Atlético Madrid (Spain)
- Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)
- Lille (France)
- Aston Villa (England)
Unseeded Teams (Knockout Phase Play-off Winners):
- Paris Saint-Germain (France)
- Real Madrid (Spain)
- PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands)
- Feyenoord (Netherlands)
- Bayern Munich (Germany)
- Club Brugge (Belgium)
- Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
- Benfica (Portugal)
The draw will pair seeded teams with unseeded teams, promising captivating matchups. Notably, clubs from the same national association are eligible to face each other, potentially setting the stage for high-stakes domestic rivalries on the European front.
Key Dates
- First Legs: March 4 and 5, 2025
- Return Legs: March 11 and 12, 2025
Fans eagerly await the draw, which will chart the paths for these elite teams as they continue their quest for European glory. The journey culminates at the Allianz Arena in Munich, where the final will be held on May 31, 2025.