Reigning champions Real Madrid and 2023 winners Manchester City will rekindle their Champions League rivalry in a thrilling knockout phase playoff match after the two teams were drawn to play each other in today’s draw in Nyon.
In the new league-phase format, teams that finished 11th and 22nd, respectively, did not automatically advance to the last 16 as one of the top eight teams; instead, teams that finished ninth to 24th will play a two-leg playoff to reach the final 16.
Real and City have faced each other in four knockout ties since 2020 and will be playing each other for the fourth year consecutive year.
With 13 knockout-stage eliminations of English clubs, the leaders of the Spanish league will be confident in their chances.
Real Madrid exacted revenge last year when they defeated Pep Guardiola’s team on penalties in the quarterfinals following two draws, despite the fact that City crushed the Spanish team 5-1 on aggregate in the 2023 semi-finals on their way to the treble.
With either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen facing them in the round of 16, the competition does not get any easier for either squad.
In contrast to past years, clubs from the same nation are now permitted to play one another.
As a result, the playoffs will feature an all-French matchup between Paris St. Germain and Brest.In the round of 16, the victor will play either Barcelona or Liverpool.
The two Serie A teams, Juventus and AC Milan, faced Dutch teams PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord, respectively, and avoided each other in the draw.
However, if the Italian teams make it to the following round, they might have to play Arsenal or Inter Milan.
Borussia Dortmund, the runners-up from the previous season, will play Sporting of Portugal, while Club Brugge will play Atalanta.
The first leg for the Playoff is scheduled for February f11 and 12 while the second legs come up February 18 and 19.
PLAYOFFS FULL DRAW
Club Brugge v Atalanta
Sporting v Borussia Dortmund
Manchester City v Real Madrid
Celtic v Bayern Munich
Juventus v PSV Eindhoven
Feyenoord v AC Milan
Brest v Paris St Germain
AS Monaco v Benfica
