When the UEFA Champions League made changes to its usual group format, many eyebrows were raised as fans and football experts were already used to the permutations of eight groups of four teams each.
The new and improved 36-team league format, however, has provided excitement on another scale, evident with the dramatic finish on the final day of the first phase, which kept fans on the edge of their seats.
With the league phase now over, it is time to shift attention to the knockout phase, which comprises 16 teams. However, only eight teams have automatically booked a spot in the last 16, with the remaining eight teams to be determined after the knockout rounds play-offs.
European heavyweights like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain left it late to seal a play-off berth, while record winners Real Madrid also failed to finish in the top eight.
Afrosport provides you with all you need to know about the next phase of European club football’s elite competition as well as the possible pairings for the play-offs.
The league phase is complete ✅#UCL pic.twitter.com/8Ix7MvcqI4
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 29, 2025
Which teams are through to the last 16?
The top-ranked eight teams have automatically booked a place in the last 16, with Liverpool and Barcelona finishing in first and second place in the standings.
The other teams include Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, and Aston Villa.
Which teams are in the knockout phase playoffs?
The new Champions League format provides room for a second chance for teams that failed to secure automatic qualification to the last 16.
Teams that occupied positions 9-24 following the conclusion of the league phase will face off in a two-legged encounter in the play-offs.
The teams are Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, PSV, Paris St-Germain, Benfica, Monaco, Brest, Feyenoord, Juventus, Celtic, Manchester City, and Club Brugge.
Biggest surprise? 🤔#UCL pic.twitter.com/jYj2IiT5UQ
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 29, 2025
Which teams have been eliminated from the Champions League?
Unlike other Champions League seasons, where the third-placed team after the group stage drops into the second tier, the UEFA Europa League, this season takes a different path.
Teams that failed to finish in the top 24 after the league phase are automatically out of the Champions League and, by extension, European football for this season.
The eliminated teams are Dinamo Zagreb, Stuttgart, Shakhtar Donetsk, Bologna, Sparta Prague, Leipzig, Girona, Red Star Belgrade, Sturm Graz, Salzburg, Slovan Bratislava, and Young Boys.
Who meets in the knockout phase play-offs?
Teams that finished between ninth and 24th will be drawn against each other to face off in a two-legged clash in the play-offs to determine who progresses to the last 16.
The draw for the knockout phase play-offs is scheduled for Friday, 31 January, but the teams already have an idea of their possible opponent, resulting from the positions in the league phase.
Manchester City or Celtic will face one of reigning champions Real Madrid or six-time Champions League winners Bayern Munich.
Likewise, either Juventus or Feyenoord will take on one of AC Milan or PSV, while Sporting or Club Brugge will tackle one of Atalanta or Borussia Dortmund vice versa.
Who will make it all the way to Munich? 💬#UCL pic.twitter.com/G6LlEYn1Q4
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 29, 2025
When are the knockout phase play-offs?
The two-legged play-off matches to determine the remaining eight teams in the knockout phase have been scheduled for 11-12 and 18-19 February.
Meanwhile, teams already have an idea of the two possible clubs they could take on if they progress to the last 16 after the play-offs.
