Champions League PlayOffs Draw: Winners and Losers
Barcelona, Liverpool, and Inter Milan all had a successful campaign in UEFA’s premier club competition, which has seen them avoid the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League playoffs. However, powerhouses Real Madrid, Man City and Bayern Munich all faltered during the league phase of the competition, dropping them into the playoffs.
The 2024-25 UEFA Champions League has ushered in a transformative era with its revamped format, replacing the traditional group stage with an expanded league phase.
This shift has intensified competition, leading to a thrilling knockout phase play-off draw that promises high-stakes encounters and compelling narratives.
Understanding the New Format
In this season, the Champions League expanded from 32 to 36 teams, abandoning the group stage in favor of a single league table. Each team played eight matches against different opponents, with fixtures determined by seeding pots based on UEFA coefficients.
The top eight teams from this league phase automatically advanced to the Round of 16, while teams placed 9th to 24th entered a two-legged knockout phase play-off to vie for the remaining spots in the Round of 16. Teams finishing 25th to 36th were eliminated from European competition.
The Knockout Phase Play-off Draw
The draw, conducted on January 31, 2025, in Nyon, Switzerland, produced the following fixtures:
- Brest vs. Paris Saint-Germain
- Juventus vs. PSV Eindhoven
- Manchester City vs. Real Madrid
- Sporting CP vs. Borussia Dortmund
- Club Brugge vs. Atalanta
- Monaco vs. Benfica
- Celtic vs. Bayern Munich
- Feyenoord vs. Milan
The first legs are scheduled for February 11 and 12, with the return legs on February 18 and 19.
Winners and Losers of the Draw
Winners:
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG): Drawn against Brest, PSG appears to have a favorable match-up. Despite Brest’s commendable performance to reach this stage, PSG’s superior squad depth and experience in European competitions position them as clear favorites to advance.
Atalanta: Facing Club Brugge, Atalanta benefits from avoiding traditional European powerhouses. While Club Brugge has demonstrated resilience, Atalanta’s dynamic attacking style and recent continental form give them an edge in this encounter.
Benfica: Paired with Monaco, Benfica has a realistic path to the Round of 16. Monaco’s journey to this stage has been impressive, but Benfica’s European pedigree and tactical discipline could prove decisive over two legs.
Losers:
Manchester City and Real Madrid: Arguably the most high-profile tie of the draw, both clubs would have preferred to avoid such a formidable opponent at this juncture. Manchester City, finishing 22nd in the league phase, faces a daunting task against a Real Madrid side with a storied European history. Conversely, Real Madrid must contend with a City team eager to make amends for an underwhelming league phase.
Celtic: Drawing Bayern Munich presents a significant challenge for the Scottish champions. Bayern’s dominance in both domestic and European competitions makes them a formidable adversary, and Celtic will need to produce exceptional performances to progress.
PSV Eindhoven: Facing Juventus, PSV confronts a club with substantial European experience. While Juventus has had its inconsistencies, their tactical acumen and squad quality present a stern test for the Dutch side.
Key Match-up Analyses
Manchester City vs. Real Madrid
This fixture is a marquee clash, reminiscent of past European classics. Manchester City’s unexpected struggle in the league phase, culminating in a 22nd-place finish, has set up this challenging tie. Real Madrid, finishing 11th, will look to capitalize on City’s vulnerabilities.
Erling Haaland will lead the Cityzens’ attack against the most successful side in Champions League history, boasting the likes of Vini Jr., Bellingham, and Rodrygo.
The tactical battle between Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti adds an intriguing subplot, with both managers known for their strategic prowess.
Celtic vs. Bayern Munich
Celtic’s reward for reaching the knockout phase is a daunting tie against Bayern Munich. The German giants, despite finishing 12th in the league phase, remain a formidable force. Celtic’s home advantage at Parkhead could play a crucial role, but overcoming Bayern’s attacking firepower and midfield dominance will be a monumental task.
Sporting CP vs. Borussia Dortmund
This match-up promises an exciting contest between two clubs known for nurturing young talent. Sporting CP, finishing 23rd, faces a Borussia Dortmund side that secured 10th place. Dortmund’s attacking trio will be pivotal, while Sporting’s disciplined defense and counter-attacking strategy could exploit any defensive lapses from the German side.
Implications of the New Format
The revamped Champions League format has heightened the competition’s unpredictability. Traditional powerhouses like Manchester City and Real Madrid find themselves in precarious positions, while clubs like Brest and Monaco have seized the opportunity to challenge Europe’s elite.
The league phase’s structure ensured that every match carried significant weight, contributing to some unexpected standings and match-ups in the knockout phase.
Looking Ahead
As the knockout phase play-offs approach, clubs must navigate the challenges of squad rotation, injuries, and tactical adjustments. The two-legged format emphasizes the importance of away goals and strategic planning. Managers will need to balance domestic commitments with European ambitions, ensuring their teams peak at the right moments.
For fans, the upcoming fixtures offer a blend of classic rivalries and fresh encounters. The allure of the Champions League lies in its capacity to deliver high-octane drama, and this season’s innovations have only amplified that potential.
Conclusion
The 2024-25 UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off draw has set the stage for a series of captivating ties. The new format has injected fresh energy into the competition, challenging traditional hierarchies and offering a platform for emerging clubs to make their mark.
As Europe’s premier club competition progresses, football enthusiasts worldwide can anticipate a feast of tactical battles, individual brilliance, and the unrelenting drama that defines the Champions League.
