Champions League Knockout Phase Play-Off Draw: Teams Compete for a Spot in the Last 16 Prepare yourself for the exciting Champions League knockout phase play-off draw, where top teams from around Europe battle for a prestigious place in the last 16. This thrilling stage of the tournament promises intense matchups and unforgettable moments as clubs strive to secure their advancement in the most prestigious club competition on the continent. Stay tuned to witness which teams will rise to the...
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The –26 UEFA Champions League has reached a pivotal moment as the league phase concludes, setting the stage for the knockout round. A series of matches has wrapped up, leaving fans eager for what lies ahead. The top eight teams have secured their places in the last 16, while the remaining contenders must face the newly introduced knockout phase play-offs to keep their European aspirations alive.
This season’s format has intensified the competition, reminiscent of past tournaments where teams fought fiercely to advance. Last year’s playoffs demonstrated that this path can yield unexpected successes, with several renowned clubs overcoming challenges to make deep runs.
Understanding the knockout phase play-offs
The draw for the Champions League knockout phase play-offs is scheduled for tomorrow, January 30, at 11 AM local time in Ireland. Taking place at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, this event will determine which teams continue their quest for glory.
Participating in this draw are the teams that finished between ninth and 24th in the league phase, categorized as seeded and unseeded. The seeded teams, which performed relatively better, include prestigious clubs such as Real Madrid (9th), Inter Milan (10th), and Paris Saint-Germain (11th). In contrast, unseeded teams like Borussia Dortmund (17th) and Olympiacos (18th) will be hoping for advantageous matchups.
Seeded and unseeded teams for the draw
The seeded teams from the league phase, along with their rankings, are:
- Real Madrid(9)
- Inter Milan(10)
- Paris Saint-Germain(11)
- Newcastle United(12)
- Juventus(13)
- Atlético Madrid(14)
- Atalanta(15)
- Bayer Leverkusen(16)
Conversely, the unseeded teams are:
- Borussia Dortmund(17)
- Olympiacos(18)
- Club Brugge(19)
- Galatasaray(20)
- AS Monaco(21)
- Qarabağ(22)
- Bodø/Glimt(23)
- Benfica(24)
How the draw unfolds
The pairing process will match seeded teams against unseeded ones based on their league standings. The seeded pairings will be as follows:
- 9 vs 10
- 11 vs 12
- 13 vs 14
- 15 vs 16
For the unseeded teams, the pairings are:
- 17 vs 18
- 19 vs 20
- 21 vs 22
- 23 vs 24
Each seeded team will face one from the unseeded category, resulting in matchups such as 9 or 10 against 23 or 24, among others. Notably, this season’s format allows teams from the same national association to compete against each other, and clubs that have previously met in the league phase can be drawn together.
How to watch the draw
Fans eager to follow the developments live can stream the Champions League knockout phase play-off draw on UEFA’s official website and through the Champions League app. This ensures supporters worldwide can stay informed about their favorite teams and the exciting matchups that will unfold in the coming weeks.
This season’s format has intensified the competition, reminiscent of past tournaments where teams fought fiercely to advance. Last year’s playoffs demonstrated that this path can yield unexpected successes, with several renowned clubs overcoming challenges to make deep runs.0
