
Ten Former European Cup Winners Involved in the Play-Offs
The highly anticipated Champions League 2024/25 knockout play-off draw has taken place, setting the stage for some thrilling encounters. With ten former European Cup winners in the mix, the battle for a spot in the last 16 promises to be intense. Manchester City, as an unseeded team, will have to navigate a tough tie against reigning champions Real Madrid, while Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will go head-to-head with their domestic rivals, Brest.
After the conclusion of the Champions League’s first-ever league phase, which featured 36 teams competing in a revamped format, the top eight sides automatically advanced to the round of 16. This left 16 teams, finishing between ninth and 24th, to battle it out in the knockout play-offs for the remaining spots.
Each club already had a general idea of their potential opponents based on their final standing in the league phase. However, former midfield maestro Thiago Alcantara was present at UEFA’s House of Football in Switzerland to conduct the official draw and confirm the exact fixtures.
Full 2024/25 Champions League Knockout Play-Off Draw

Below are the confirmed fixtures from the play-off draw. The seeded teams are listed second in each pairing:
- Club Brugge vs Atalanta
- Sporting CP vs Borussia Dortmund
- Man City vs Real Madrid
- Celtic vs Bayern Munich
- Juventus vs PSV
- Feyenoord vs Milan
- Brest vs PSG
- Monaco vs Benfica
Key Matchups to Watch
Man City vs Real Madrid: The Clash of the Giants
One of the most anticipated fixtures of the round sees Manchester City face Real Madrid. As the defending champions, Real Madrid have consistently been a dominant force in European football. However, Manchester City, who lifted their first Champions League trophy in 2023, will be eager to prove themselves once again.
Pep Guardiola’s side, being unseeded, will have to play the second leg away at the Santiago Bernabéu, making their task even more challenging. This tie brings together two teams with immense talent, tactical depth, and a history of recent encounters in the competition.
PSG vs Brest: A French Duel
Paris Saint-Germain will have to contend with a familiar foe as they take on Brest in a high-stakes all-French clash. While PSG are clear favorites on paper, domestic battles often produce surprising results. Brest will be eager to defy expectations and cause an upset against the Ligue 1 giants.
Celtic vs Bayern Munich: A Historic Encounter
Celtic’s draw against German powerhouse Bayern Munich presents another intriguing fixture. The Scottish champions will relish the opportunity to take on one of Europe’s most decorated teams, but they face a massive challenge against a well-oiled Bayern side looking to make a deep run in the competition.
Juventus vs PSV: A Classic European Matchup
Juventus, with their rich European history, will clash with PSV Eindhoven, a club that has also tasted Champions League glory in the past. Both teams are eager to re-establish themselves among the continent’s elite, making this a must-watch battle.
When Are the Champions League Knockout Play-Offs?
The first legs of these historic play-offs are scheduled to take place on:
- Tuesday, 11 February
- Wednesday, 12 February
The return legs will be played one week later on:
- Tuesday, 18 February
- Wednesday, 19 February
Following the completion of these fixtures, the draw for the remaining stages of the competition, including the round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals, will take place on Friday, 21 February. This will determine the opponents for the eight teams that have already qualified for the round of 16, including Liverpool, Barcelona, and Arsenal.
Conclusion: A Knockout Round Filled with Excitement
The Champions League knockout play-offs have set up some mouth-watering encounters. With elite clubs like Manchester City, Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich, and Juventus all in action, fans can expect high-quality football and intense battles across the board.
As teams prepare for these crucial fixtures, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A place in the last 16 is on the line, and only the best will advance. Football fans worldwide will be eagerly watching to see which teams emerge victorious in this historic phase of the competition.