The UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off draw was conducted on Friday, January 31, 2025, unveiling a series of thrilling matchups as teams vie for a spot in the Round of 16. The fixtures are scheduled for February 11/12 and 18/19.
In a marquee clash, England’s Manchester City is set to face Spain’s Real Madrid. This encounter marks the fourth consecutive year these football giants meet in the knockout stages, underscoring their recent rivalry.
City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, acknowledged the challenge ahead, likening the tie to a derby.
Full draw below:
- Club Brugge vs. Atalanta
- Manchester City vs Real Madrid
- Sporting CP vs. Borussia Dortmund
- Celtic vs. Bayern Munich
- Juventus vs. PSV Eindhoven
- Feyenoord vs. AC Milan
- Brest vs. Paris Saint-Germain
- Monaco vs. Benfica
These fixtures are part of the revamped Champions League format introduced this season. The new structure features a single league phase with 36 teams, replacing the traditional group stage. The top eight teams from this phase automatically advance to the Round of 16, while teams placed 9th to 24th enter the knockout play-offs to secure their progression.
The first legs of the knockout play-offs are slated for February 11 and 12, with the return legs on February 18 and 19. The subsequent Round of 16 draw is scheduled for February 21, where teams like Liverpool and Barcelona, having already secured their spots, will learn their opponents.
