The UEFA Champions League is poised for an exhilarating Round of 16, with the draw scheduled for 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 victors from the recent knockout phase play-offs.
Knockout Phase Playoffs Recap:
The knockout phase play-offs delivered intense action as teams vied for a spot in the Round of 16.
Here’s a summary of the results:
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Brest:
PSG showcased their dominance with a commanding 10-0 aggregate victory, including a 3-0 away win in the first leg.
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City:
In a high-stakes encounter, Real Madrid triumphed with a 6-3 aggregate score. Kylian Mbappé was the standout performer, netting a hat-trick in the 3-1 second-leg victory at the Santiago Bernabéu.
PSV Eindhoven vs. Juventus:
PSV overturned a first-leg deficit to win 4-3 on aggregate. Defender Ryan Flamingo secured the decisive goal in extra time, leading to a 3-1 second-leg win that eliminated Juventus.
Feyenoord vs. AC Milan:
Feyenoord pulled off a surprising upset, advancing with a 2-1 aggregate score. After a 1-0 home victory, they managed a 1-1 draw at San Siro, sealing their progression.
Bayern Munich vs. Celtic:
Bayern faced a resilient Celtic side but advanced with a 3-2 aggregate win. Alphonso Davies was pivotal, scoring a late equalizer in the second leg to ensure Bayern’s place in the next round.
Club Brugge vs. Atalanta:
Club Brugge demonstrated their strength by winning both legs, culminating in a 5-2 aggregate victory over Atalanta.
Borussia Dortmund vs. Sporting CP:
Dortmund secured their spot with a solid 3-0 aggregate win, highlighted by a 3-0 triumph in the second leg.
Benfica vs. AS Monaco:
In a thrilling contest, Benfica edged out Monaco with a 4-3 aggregate score, following a 3-3 draw in the second leg.
Teams Advancing to the Round of 16:
The following teams have progressed to the Round of 16:
The draw will pair each seeded team with an unseeded team, setting the stage for compelling matchups in the Round of 16.
Notably, teams from the same national association can face each other at this stage, opening the possibility for high-stakes domestic clashes on the European stage.
The first legs of the Round of 16 are scheduled for March 4 and 5, with the return legs on March 11 and 12, 2025.
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 upcoming draw promises exciting matchups, as seeded teams will be paired with unseeded teams, setting the stage for thrilling encounters in the quest for European supremacy.
As anticipation builds, fans worldwide eagerly await the draw to see which paths their teams will take on the road to the final, set to be held at the Allianz Arena in Munich on May 31, 2025.
Culled from Punch Sports
