The Champions League is set to move into its intense last-16 phase, with Liverpool leading the overall table. Liverpool's dominance has earned them a spot in the next round, where they will face one of Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Monaco, or Brest. Arsenal joins Liverpool in securing automatic progression, setting the stage for potential clashes with AC Milan, PSV, Feyenoord, or Juventus. Meanwhile, Aston Villa narrowly secured their position in the top eight and now awaits a match-up with either Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting, or Club Brugge in the last 16.
The knockout phase play-offs will determine the final contenders for the last 16, with both Manchester City and Celtic facing daunting challenges. Manchester City will be up against either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the play-offs. If successful, they will advance to face Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the next round. Similarly, Celtic's path includes a play-off against Bayern Munich or Real Madrid, with a potential encounter with Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen if they progress.
"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 play-off draw is scheduled for Friday and will be broadcast live on the Sky Sports app. This draw is crucial as it determines which teams will join Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa—who have already secured their places—in the last 16. The anticipation builds as fans eagerly await February's last-16 draw to learn who these clubs will face.
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