UEFA Champions League Knockout Play-Offs Begin: Teams, Fixtures & Key Matchups
The UEFA Champions League knockout play-offs kick off this week as 16 teams compete for the remaining spots in the last 16. One of the most highly anticipated clashes features Man City vs Real Madrid.
These two giants have faced off in each of the last three Champions League seasons, with the winner of their tie going on to lift the trophy. Last year, Real Madrid eliminated Manchester City in the quarter-finals.
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Teams Already Qualified & Play-Off Contenders
Eight teams have already secured direct qualification to the Round of 16:
- Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, 16 teams will battle in the knockout play-offs:
- Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, PSV Eindhoven, Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Monaco, Brest, Feyenoord, Juventus, Celtic, Manchester City, Sporting CP, Club Brugge.
Knockout Play-Off Fixtures & Key Matchups
The play-off ties will be contested over two legs, with the first matches on February 11-12 and the return legs on February 18-19:
- Brest vs. PSG (Feb 11 & 19)
- Juventus vs. PSV Eindhoven (Feb 11 & 19)
- Man City vs Real Madrid (Feb 11 & 19)
- Sporting CP vs. Borussia Dortmund (Feb 11 & 19)
- Club Brugge vs. Atalanta (Feb 12 & 18)
- Celtic vs. Bayern Munich (Feb 12 & 18)
- Feyenoord vs. AC Milan (Feb 12 & 18)
- Monaco vs. Benfica (Feb 12 & 18)
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Potential Round of 16 Opponents
The draw for the Round of 16 will take place on February 21, determining potential matchups:
- Liverpool could face Monaco, Brest, PSG, or Benfica.
- Barcelona will meet a team from their group.
- Arsenal will take on Feyenoord, Juventus, AC Milan, or PSV.
- Aston Villa will play Sporting CP, Club Brugge, Atalanta, or Borussia Dortmund.
On February 21, UEFA will also conduct the quarter-final and semi-final draws, mapping out the road to the final.
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