The draw for the knockout playoff round of the revamped UEFA Champions League is set to take place, marking a crucial stage in the tournament. This phase will determine which teams advance to the next round, shaping the path to European glory.
When and Where is the Draw?
The draw is scheduled for Friday, January 31, 2025, at 6 a.m. ET (12 p.m. Nigeria time) at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.
Which Teams Are Involved?
Only the 16 teams that finished between 9th and 24th place in the league phase will participate in this draw. The top eight teams have already secured direct entry into the Round of 16, while teams finishing between 25th and 36th have been eliminated.
Impact of League Phase Rankings
Unlike previous seasons where open draws were conducted, the new format ensures structured matchups based on final league standings. This system aims to maintain competitive balance by preventing the highest-ranked teams from facing each other in the early knockout rounds.
For instance:
Liverpool and Barcelona, who finished first and second, can only meet in the final.
Arsenal and Internazionale, ranked third and fourth, cannot play against Liverpool or Barcelona until the semifinals.
Manchester City (22nd), Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and Real Madrid finished lower than expected, leading to potential early heavyweight clashes.
Manchester City (22nd) could face Real Madrid (11th) or Bayern Munich (12th).
PSG may meet Barcelona or Liverpool in the Round of 16 if they progress.
How the Knockout Playoff Draw Works
The draw follows a structured pairing system:
Teams are paired based on final rankings (e.g., 9th vs. 10th, 11th vs. 12th, etc.).
Paired teams are placed into opposite halves of the knockout bracket.
Higher-seeded teams (9th-16th) are drawn against lower-seeded teams (17th-24th).
The higher-seeded team will play the second leg at home.
For example:
Real Madrid (11th) and Bayern Munich (12th) cannot meet until the final.
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will face either Celtic (21st) or Manchester City (22nd) in the first knockout stage.
Will Country Protection Apply?
No. Clubs from the same country can be drawn against each other starting from this round. As a result:
PSG could face AS Monaco or Brest.
Teams may be drawn against an opponent they already played in the league phase.
Knockout Playoff Fixtures
First legs: February 11-12, 2025
Second legs: February 18-19, 2025
Each team will play one match on a Tuesday and the other on a Wednesday.
What Happens to the Top Eight Clubs?
The top eight finishers in the league phase will enter the Round of 16 after the knockout playoff round concludes. These teams will be assigned four possible opponents from the playoff winners.
For example:
Liverpool and Barcelona could face PSG, Benfica, Monaco, or Brest in the next round.
Round of 16 Draw Details
Date: Friday, February 21, 2025
Format: The top eight teams will be drawn into the bracket, ensuring that Liverpool and Barcelona remain in separate halves.
First legs: March 4-5, 2025
Second legs: March 11-12, 2025
Once the Round of 16 draw is completed, the knockout bracket will be locked through to the final, setting up the road to Wembley for the UEFA Champions League title.
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