The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw for the 2024/25 season has been finalized, setting up some thrilling knockout-stage battles. With defending champions Real Madrid facing a fierce derby against Atletico Madrid and Liverpool drawn against Paris Saint-Germain, the road to the final in Munich is now clear.
Exciting Fixtures as Champions League Enters Knockout Phase
The draw has created intriguing matchups, with seeded teams facing unseeded teams based on their performances in the newly introduced league format. Each fixture will have its first leg played on March 4th/5th or 11th/12th, with the return leg scheduled for the following week.
Here’s a look at the full Round of 16 draw:
- Liverpool vs Paris Saint-Germain (15th seed)
- Barcelona vs Benfica (16th seed)
- Arsenal vs PSV Eindhoven (14th seed)
- Inter Milan vs Feyenoord (19th seed)
- Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid (11th seed)
- Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich (12th seed)
- Lille vs Borussia Dortmund (10th seed)
- Aston Villa vs Club Brugge (24th seed)
With these fixtures set, fans can expect high-intensity clashes as Europe’s best teams battle for a spot in the quarter-finals.
The confirmed round of 16 draw ✅#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/zogc10nzdr
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 21, 2025
Madrid Derby Headlines the Round of 16
One of the standout fixtures in this draw is the highly anticipated Madrid Derby, with Real Madrid taking on Atletico Madrid. This will be a heated encounter between two of Spain’s biggest clubs, with Real Madrid aiming to defend their title and Atletico looking to dethrone their city rivals.
2013-14 final: ⚪
2014-15 quarterfinals: ⚪
2015-16 final: ⚪
2016-17 semifinals: ⚪When it’s a Madrid derby in the Champions League in recent years… pic.twitter.com/tZMLIIgi9L
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 21, 2025
Real Madrid have dominated this fixture historically, but Diego Simeone’s side is known for pulling off upsets in European competitions. With the likes of Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Jr. leading Real Madrid’s attack, and Atletico relying on Antoine Griezmann and Álvaro Morata, this clash promises to be one of the most intense matchups of the round.
Liverpool vs PSG – A Clash of Titans
Another blockbuster tie features Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, with both teams aiming to reclaim European glory. Liverpool finished as the top seed after an impressive league phase, while PSG had a difficult route to the knockout stage.
Paris vs Liverpool #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/SL9LwWqpUl
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 21, 2025
Mohamed Salah will be key for Liverpool, while Kylian Mbappé—who has been in outstanding form—will look to inspire PSG to victory. The battle between Jürgen Klopp’s well-organized side and Luis Enrique’s attacking force could deliver one of the most entertaining contests of the round.
Premier League Clubs Face Tough Tests
All three remaining English clubs have challenging matchups. Arsenal will take on PSV Eindhoven, a team they faced in the group stage last season. Mikel Arteta’s side will be favorites but cannot afford to underestimate the Dutch side.
Aston Villa, returning to the Champions League knockout stage for the first time in decades, will play Club Brugge. Unai Emery’s team will be confident of progressing, but Brugge’s ability to pull off surprises in Europe could make this an interesting tie.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s absence from the last 16 is a major talking point. The defending Premier League champions were eliminated in the play-off round after their shocking defeat to Real Madrid.
German Giants Collide – Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich
A major all-German clash sees Bayer Leverkusen face Bayern Munich, setting up an exciting Bundesliga showdown on the European stage. Leverkusen, led by Xabi Alonso, have emerged as one of the most promising sides in Germany, while Bayern remain the powerhouse of German football.
Harry Kane’s goal-scoring prowess will be Bayern’s biggest weapon, but Leverkusen’s disciplined approach could see them cause an upset.
The Champions League Bracket and Road to the Final
Following the Round of 16, a separate draw determined the path to the final, with teams randomly allocated to the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final. The knockout phase will continue with the following schedule:
- Round of 16: March 4th/5th & 11th/12th
- Quarter-finals: April 8th/9th & 15th/16th
- Semi-finals: April 29th/30th & May 6th/7th
- Final: May 31st at Allianz Arena, Munich
New UCL Format and What’s Changed
The Champions League underwent a major format change this season, eliminating the traditional group stage in favor of a 36-team league. Each team played eight matches, and the top eight advanced directly to the Round of 16.
Meanwhile, teams finishing between 9th and 24th had to go through a playoff round to reach the last 16, which led to high-profile teams like Bayern Munich and Real Madrid facing tougher early-round opponents.
This new format has created an unpredictable tournament, with some big names struggling to adapt. However, it has also made for more exciting knockout rounds, with fewer ‘easy’ ties.
When and Where is the Champions League Final?
The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League final will take place on Saturday, May 31st, at 21:00 CET at the Allianz Arena in Munich. The stadium, home to Bayern Munich, previously hosted the dramatic 2012 final, where Chelsea defeated Bayern on penalties.
With the knockout stage now set, the race to the final in Munich is officially on. Who will rise to the occasion and claim the biggest prize in European club football? Only time will tell, but with heavyweight clashes lined up, fans are in for a thrilling ride.
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