UEFA has announced the Champions League knockout phase play-off draw, setting the stage for a thrilling end to the group stage. The eight top teams have already secured their spots in the last 16, but now it's down to the next eight teams to battle for their place in the prestigious competition.
The play-off round will see teams ranked ninth to 24th in the league phase go head-to-head in two-legged matches. This means that Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and other top-tier teams will be facing off against each other, as well as teams from lower-ranked associations. The draw has already revealed some intriguing matchups, with Newcastle United set to face either Qarabag or Monaco.
The play-off sides are ranked in a similar way to the previous stage of the competition, which is why they're pitted against specific opponents. For instance, Juventus will be taking on Atalanta, while PSG and Newcastle will be facing off against each other.
The draw for the play-offs will take place at UEFA's headquarters in Switzerland on January 30th. The games themselves will be played over two midweeks in February β the first leg on February 17-18 and the second leg on February 24-25.
After the conclusion of the play-off round, the draw for the last 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals will be held on February 27th. The teams that emerge victorious from the play-offs will then face off against top-tier clubs like Barcelona and Chelsea in the highly anticipated knockout phase.
The fate of these eight teams hangs in the balance, with only a spot in the Champions League waiting for the winners. Will it be Real Madrid, Inter Milan, or another team that emerges victorious? The suspense is building as the play-off draw unfolds.
The play-off round will see teams ranked ninth to 24th in the league phase go head-to-head in two-legged matches. This means that Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and other top-tier teams will be facing off against each other, as well as teams from lower-ranked associations. The draw has already revealed some intriguing matchups, with Newcastle United set to face either Qarabag or Monaco.
The play-off sides are ranked in a similar way to the previous stage of the competition, which is why they're pitted against specific opponents. For instance, Juventus will be taking on Atalanta, while PSG and Newcastle will be facing off against each other.
The draw for the play-offs will take place at UEFA's headquarters in Switzerland on January 30th. The games themselves will be played over two midweeks in February β the first leg on February 17-18 and the second leg on February 24-25.
After the conclusion of the play-off round, the draw for the last 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals will be held on February 27th. The teams that emerge victorious from the play-offs will then face off against top-tier clubs like Barcelona and Chelsea in the highly anticipated knockout phase.
The fate of these eight teams hangs in the balance, with only a spot in the Champions League waiting for the winners. Will it be Real Madrid, Inter Milan, or another team that emerges victorious? The suspense is building as the play-off draw unfolds.