Champions League Last-16 Draw: What to Expect and Who’s In
As the inaugural Champions League knockout play-offs come to a close, anticipation builds for the last-16 draw. With elite teams from across Europe vying for football’s most prestigious trophy, this stage of the tournament promises thrilling matchups and high-stakes drama. Let’s delve into the details of the last-16 draw and explore the teams that have made it this far.
When is the Champions League Last-16 Draw?
Mark your calendars! The Champions League last-16 draw is set for Friday, February 21, at 11 am. Fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports’ digital platforms, ensuring that nobody misses a moment of this exciting event.
Qualified Teams for the Last 16
The teams that reached the knockout stage are a blend of familiar faces and rising contenders. The top eight teams from the competition’s new league phase table have automatically qualified for the last 16:
- Liverpool
- Barcelona
- Arsenal
- Inter Milan
- Atletico Madrid
- Bayer Leverkusen
- Lille
- Aston Villa
These football powerhouses will be joined by the winners of the knockout play-offs, which included:
- Bayern Munich
- Benfica
- Club Brugge
- Feyenoord
- Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
- PSV Eindhoven
- Real Madrid
- Borussia Dortmund
Knockout Stage Format and Pairings
From the knockout play-offs onward, the tournament takes on a bracket-style format, with potential opponents for the last 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals predetermined. The draw will also define which team will host the first leg and which will host the return leg in each matchup.
How Does the Last-16 Draw Work?
The draw process is meticulously structured. The top eight clubs are paired based on their league phase rankings, resulting in four seeded pairs: 1st with 2nd, 3rd with 4th, 5th with 6th, and 7th with 8th. Each pairing will then face one of the knockout phase winners.
During the draw, four bowls are prepared—each containing the names of the seeded teams placed according to their final rankings. The allocation of spots in the bracket begins with the lower-ranked teams and progresses to the highest, maintaining suspense and excitement throughout the process.
Potential Matchups for British Teams
The competition is particularly fierce for British clubs, as they navigate their paths through the knockout stage. Here’s a look at which opponents they might face in the last 16:
Liverpool (1st seed)
- Round of 16 Matchup: vs PSG (15th) or Benfica (16th).
Arsenal (3rd seed)
- Round of 16 Matchup: vs PSV (14th) or Feyenoord (19th).
Aston Villa (8th seed)
- Round of 16 Matchup: vs Borussia Dortmund (10th) or Club Brugge (24th).
The excitement surrounding their potential opponents adds an extra layer of intrigue to the draw, as clubs strive not only for victory but for the honor of representing British football on such a grand stage.
Champions League Knockout Play-off Results Recap
To give context to the teams entering the last 16, here’s a brief recap of the knockout play-off results:
First Legs:
- Feb 11: Brest 0-3 PSG
- Feb 11: Juventus 2-1 PSV Eindhoven
- Feb 11: Man City 2-3 Real Madrid
- Feb 11: Sporting Lisbon 0-3 Borussia Dortmund
- Feb 12: Club Brugge 2-1 Atalanta
- Feb 12: Celtic 1-2 Bayern Munich
- Feb 12: Feyenoord 1-0 AC Milan
- Feb 12: Monaco 0-1 Benfica
Second Legs:
- Feb 18: AC Milan 1-1 Feyenoord (agg 1-2)
- Feb 18: Atalanta 1-3 Club Brugge (agg 2-5)
- Feb 18: Bayern Munich 1-1 Celtic (agg 3-2)
- Feb 18: Benfica 3-3 Monaco (agg 4-3)
- Feb 19: Borussia Dortmund 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (agg 3-0)
- Feb 19: PSG 7-0 Brest (agg 10-0)
- Feb 19: PSV Eindhoven 3-1 Juventus (agg 4-3)
- Feb 19: Real Madrid 3-1 Man City (agg 6-3)
Looking Ahead
Football fans have plenty to be excited about as the Champions League progresses. The last-16 matches are scheduled for March 4/5 and March 11/12, followed by quarter-finals on April 8/9 and April 15/16, and semi-finals on April 29/30 and May 6/7.
The grand finale will take place on May 31 at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena, capping off what promises to be an exhilarating tournament. As the draw approaches, speculation about matchups heightens and fans eagerly await their chance to support their teams on the path to glory.
