The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League has thrilled football fans with its revamped league phase, offering high-stakes matches and surprising outcomes. As the competition transitions into its knockout stages, anticipation is building for the knockout phase playoff draw scheduled for January 31, 2025.
The draw will be conducted at 11 am GMT (6 am ET) at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland. Fans worldwide can stream the event live on UEFA’s official website, uefa.com. In addition, TV broadcasts are expected on TNT Sports in the UK and Paramount+ in the USA.
How the Draw Works
The top eight teams from the league phase have already secured their spots in the round of 16. These teams include Arsenal, Aston Villa, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, and Liverpool.
The knockout phase playoff will feature 16 teams that finished from ninth to 24th in the league phase. These teams are divided into two groups: seeded (ninth to 16th) and unseeded (17th to 24th). The remaining teams from 25th to 36th are eliminated from the competition.
The seeded and unseeded teams will be paired, forming eight matchups for the playoff ties. Seeded teams include Monaco, Sporting CP, Celtic, and others, while unseeded teams include heavyweights like Bayern Munich, PSG, and Manchester City. The draw follows a bracket format where specific matchups are predetermined.
The “silver” side of the bracket could see Monaco or Brest facing PSG or Benfica, while Sporting CP or Brugge might meet Atalanta or Borussia Dortmund. Celtic or Man City may face Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, and Feyenoord or Juventus could clash with AC Milan or PSV. The “blue” side offers mirrored versions of these pairings.
Match Schedule
The knockout phase playoff matches will be played over two legs, with the first leg scheduled for February 11/12, 2025, and the return fixtures on February 18/19. The winners of these eight ties will advance to the round of 16, joining the already qualified top eight teams.
The draw for the round of 16, as well as the quarterfinal and semifinal matchups, will be held on February 21, 2025.
This year’s competition promises thrilling contests as top European clubs battle for a place in the final in Munich. With giants like Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and PSG facing tough playoff challenges, fans are set for a captivating phase of knockout football.
Stay tuned for all the action as the road to Munich heats up.
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