The Champions League knockout phase is set to deliver thrilling encounters as top European clubs vie for supremacy. Teams that finished 1st to 8th in their groups have secured their places in the last 16, while those ranked 9th to 24th will engage in play-offs to advance further. Among the highlights, Manchester City and Celtic are scheduled to clash in a high-stakes play-off, with the draw taking place this Friday.
Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa have already cemented their spots in the last 16. Liverpool will contend with formidable adversaries such as Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Monaco, or Brest. Arsenal is poised to face one of AC Milan, PSV, Feyenoord, or Juventus. Meanwhile, Aston Villa awaits a challenge from Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting, or Club Brugge.
The play-offs promise intense competition as Manchester City faces either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid. Pep Guardiola commented on the potential opponents, highlighting the prestige and challenge they represent:
"Real Madrid or Bayern Munich – one is the king of the competition, the other one is maybe the second or third king of the competition," – Pep Guardiola
The victor between Manchester City and Celtic will proceed to compete against either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16. The tournament's format beyond these initial rounds remains undecided until the last-16 draw occurs in February.
Teams placed 9th to 12th will face off directly in the play-offs, while those ranked 13th to 24th also enter this phase. The play-off winners will advance to join the elite last 16 teams, adding another layer of excitement and unpredictability to the tournament.
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