By SRTeam The UEFA Champions League’s 2024/25 season has concluded its league phase, setting the stage for the knockout rounds. This season introduced a revamped format, expanding the league phase to 36 teams competing in a single league table. The top eight teams have secured direct entry into the Round of 16, while teams placed 9th to 24th will vie for the remaining spots through knockout phase play-offs.
Teams Advancing Directly to the Round of 16:
- Liverpool (ENG)
- Barcelona (ESP)
- Arsenal (ENG)
- Inter Milan (ITA)
- Atlético Madrid (ESP)
- Bayer Leverkusen (GER)
- Lille (FRA)
- Aston Villa (ENG)
These clubs have demonstrated exceptional performance, earning them a direct path to the Round of 16.
Knockout Phase Play-offs:
Teams finishing 9th to 24th will participate in two-legged play-offs to secure their place in the Round of 16. The draw for these matchups is scheduled for January 31, 2025. The first legs are set for February 11/12, with the return fixtures on February 18/19.
Seeded Teams:
- Atalanta (ITA)
- Borussia Dortmund (GER)
- Real Madrid (ESP)
- Bayern Munich (GER)
- Milan (ITA)
- PSV Eindhoven (NED)
- Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
- Benfica (POR)
Unseeded Teams:
- Monaco (FRA)
- Brest (FRA)
- Feyenoord (NED)
- Juventus (ITA)
- Celtic (SCO)
- Manchester City (ENG)
- Sporting CP (POR)
- Club Brugge (BEL)
The play-off draw will pair seeded teams against unseeded ones, with seeded teams hosting the second leg. Notably, clubs from the same national association can face each other in these play-offs.
Upcoming Draws and Match Dates:
- Knockout Phase Play-off Draw: January 31, 2025
- Knockout Phase Play-offs: First legs on February 11/12; second legs on February 18/19
- Round of 16 Draw: February 21, 2025
- Round of 16 Matches: First legs on March 4/5; second legs on March 11/12
The culmination of the tournament, the final, is slated for May 31, 2025, at Munich’s Allianz Arena.
This season’s Champions League has showcased intense competition, with both perennial powerhouses and emerging clubs making significant impacts. As the knockout stages approach, fans worldwide eagerly anticipate the high-stakes matches that will determine Europe’s premier club.