There were two names on the list of possible opponents for all teams. For Real Madrid, one was relatively easy – Celtic, another relatively difficult – Manchester City.
Both names were difficult for Manchester City. Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.
In the end, Manchester City got Real Madrid. The English club will play against the current champions in the play-off round of the 2024-25 Champions League last sixteen.
Real Madrid and Manchester City will meet in the Champions League knockout stage for the fourth consecutive season. Last season, Real lost to City in the quarter-finals.
In the 36-team Champions League, the top eight teams in the first round of the league system have made it directly to the last sixteen. The remaining eight teams will play the play-offs in the final 16 teams from 9th to 24th in the league stage.
According to the rules, before the draw, it is finalized, the number 9 and 10 team will get the number 23 or 24 team in the play-off. Thus, 11/12 will play 21/22, 13/14 will play 19/20 and 15/16 will play 17/18.
Because of such rules, Manchester City, who were 22nd, knew that their opponent in the play-off would be either of the 11th Real and the 12th Bayern.
Today’s draw has decided the Real-City and Bayern-Celtic play-off fight.
PSG has got another Frenchman Brest as a play-off opponent. Italy’s Juventus will play against Dutch club PSV and AC Milan will play against Feyenoord.
Atalanta, who won the Europa League last season, will play against Belgian club Brugge. Sporting Lisbon’s opponent is the last Champions League runners-up Dortmund.
The playoffs will be played next month. Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille and Aston Villa have already made it to the last sixteen.
Who will face whom in the last 16 playoffs?
Brest v PSG
Club Brugge v Atalanta
Manchester City v Real Madrid
Juventus v PSV
Feyenoord v AC Milan
Celtic v Bayern Munich
Sporting Lisbon v Dortmund
Monaco v Benfica