Champions League Knockout Play-Off Draw: Manchester City, Real Madrid And PSG Learn Their Opponents

Manchester City is set to clash with reigning champions Real Madrid in the knockout stage of this season’s Champions League.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain will take on their French rivals, Brest.

After the Champions League’s first-ever league phase came to its conclusion at the end of 18 simultaneous matches on Wednesday night, the swollen 36-team table was finally complete.

The teams that finished in the top eight automatically qualified for the round of 16 and were, therefore, not included in Friday’s draw. This left the 16 clubs ranked between ninth and 24th to compete in a two-leg playoff in February.

Each club was aware that it could only face one of two potential opponents in these playoffs, depending on their final position in the league phase table.

However, Thiago Alcantara was present at UEFA’s House of Football in Switzerland to clarify the specific matchups.

Full 2024/25 Champions League knockout play-off draw:

(Seeded teams are listed second)

• Club Brugge vs Atalanta
• Sporting CP vs Borussia Dortmund
• Man City vs Real Madrid
• Celtic vs Bayern Munich
• Juventus vs PSV
• Feyenoord vs Milan
• Brest vs PSG
• Monaco vs Benfica

When are the Champions League knockout play-offs?

The first legs of these maiden play-offs are scheduled to take place on either Tuesday, 11 February, or Wednesday, 12 February. The reverse fixtures will be held one week later on 18/19 February.

In the same week that these fixtures are completed, a draw for the round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals will take place on Friday, February 21.

This draw will finalize the opponents for the eight teams that automatically qualified for the round of 16, including prominent clubs such as Liverpool, Barcelona, and Arsenal.