Champions League play-off round draw

With the Champions League league phase complete, the draw for the play-off round has set up some exciting encounters. These two-legged ties will determine which teams progress to the round of 16, where the top eight finishers from the league phase await. Alongside the confirmed play-off fixtures, the possible round of 16 matchups have also been outlined, providing a glimpse into the potential road ahead for the remaining teams.

Champions League play-off round draw: Key fixtures

The play-off round will see 16 teams battle for the final eight spots in the last 16. The draw has created some thrilling fixtures, including a blockbuster showdown between Manchester City and Real Madrid, while Feyenoord will take on AC Milan in another high-profile clash. Here is the full draw:

• Stade Brestois vs. Paris Saint-Germain
• AS Monaco vs. Benfica
• Juventus vs. PSV
• Feyenoord vs. AC Milan
• Manchester City vs. Real Madrid
• Celtic vs. Bayern Munich
• Club Brugge vs. Atalanta
• Sporting CP vs. Borussia Dortmund

The winners of these matches will move into the round of 16, where they will face one of the top eight teams from the league phase.

Possible round of 16 draw

With the top eight teams already through to the knockout stage, the play-off winners will be matched against one of the seeded teams. Its going to be a tough schedule towards the final. Based on the draw, here’s how the potential round of 16 matchups could shape up:

• Stade Brestois or Paris Saint-Germain vs. Liverpool or Barcelona
• AS Monaco or Benfica vs. Liverpool or Barcelona
• Juventus or PSV vs. Arsenal or Inter Milan
• Feyenoord or AC Milan vs. Arsenal or Inter Milan
• Manchester City or Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen
• Celtic or Bayern Munich vs. Atlético Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen
• Club Brugge or Atalanta vs. Lille or Aston Villa
• Sporting CP or Borussia Dortmund vs. Lille or Aston Villa

These potential matchups set up some fascinating possibilities, with heavyweight battles across Europe.

Key storylines heading into the knockout phase

• Manchester City faces huge test against Real Madrid: City barely made it through the league phase, finishing 22nd, and now faces a tough play-off tie against Real Madrid. If they advance, they could meet Atlético Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16.
• Feyenoord and PSV in battle for last-16 spots: Feyenoord faces AC Milan, while PSV takes on Juventus. Should they progress, both Dutch clubs could set up a clash against either Arsenal or Inter Milan.
• Celtic's tough road ahead: Celtic managed to reach the play-offs but must now overcome Bayern Munich. A victory could see them take on either Atlético Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16.
• Aston Villa awaits play-off results: Villa will face either Club Brugge or Atalanta in the round of 16, provided they make it through. The same goes for Lille, who are also awaiting their play-off opponents.