The Champions League knockout play-offs have wrapped up, and while there were no big shocks, the stage is now set for an enticing round of 16. Real Madrid breezed past Manchester City with a Kylian Mbappé hat-trick, while Paris Saint-Germain showed no signs of missing their former star, crushing Brest to progress.
Meanwhile, Celtic came agonizingly close to a stunning upset against Bayern Munich, only to be denied by a late Alphonso Davies equalizer.
With the play-offs concluded, attention now turns to Friday’s draw, which will determine not only the round of 16 matchups but also the potential quarter-final and semi-final pathways. The eight teams that advanced from the league phase will be paired against the play-off winners, following a seeding system based on their final league positions.
This format ensures tantalizing clashes, with teams like Liverpool and Barcelona awaiting confirmation of their next opponents.
Liverpool and Barcelona, both dominant in the league phase, will face either PSG or Benfica, adding to the intrigue. For Atletico Madrid, the draw holds even more significance as they will either meet city rivals Real Madrid in a high-stakes derby or take on Bayern Munich in a battle of European heavyweights.
Should the Madrid derby materialize, Bayern will then be pitted against Bayer Leverkusen, setting up another thrilling encounter.
Beyond the round of 16, the quarter-final and semi-final draws will also take place, determining the full knockout-stage roadmap. The first team drawn in each matchup will play the first leg at home, while the higher-seeded clubs enjoy the advantage of a second-leg fixture on their own turf. With heavyweight clashes inevitable, European football fans are in for a thrilling ride.
