The group stage of the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League has ended. The top 8 teams including: Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, Aston Villa will go straight to the round of 16.
Meanwhile, the 16 teams entering the play-off round include: Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, AC Milan, PSV, PSG, Benfica, Monaco, Brest, Feyenoord, Juventus, Celtic, Man City, Sporting, Club Brugge. These teams are divided into 8 pairs, playing the first and second legs to choose 8 places in the round of 16.
As for the English teams, they will face different challenges. Accordingly, Liverpool (the team ranked 1st after the group stage) will meet PSG (15th place), Benfica (16th), Monaco (17th) or Brest (18th) in the round of 16.
Arsenal (3rd place) will face AC Milan (13th), PSV (14th), Feyenoord (19th) or Juventus (20th) in the round of 16.
Aston Villa (8th) will face Atalanta (9th), Borussia Dortmund (10th), Sporting (23rd) or Club Brugge (24th) in the last 16.
Man City (who finished 22nd) will face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the play-off round. If Pep Guardiola's side win, they will face either Bayer Leverkusen or Atletico Madrid in the last 16.
With the current format, an all-English quarter-final could happen. If Liverpool and Aston Villa get past their opponents in the last 16, they could meet in the quarter-finals.
Similarly, Man City and Celtic – a UK club – could meet Arsenal in the quarter-finals if they get through the play-offs and beat Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.
According to the schedule, the Champions League play-off round will take place in 2 legs. The first leg will take place on February 11 and 12, the second leg will be played on February 18 and 19.
The round of 16 matches will take place on 4 and 5 March, with the return legs on 11 and 12 March.
The quarter-finals will take place on April 8 and 9, with the second leg on April 15 and 16.
The semi-finals will take place on April 29 and 30, with the return legs on May 6 and 7.
This year's Champions League final will take place at Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena on May 31.
