Champions League Knockout Stage: Last-16 Draw

Champions League Last-16 Draw: Arsenal and Liverpool's Path to Glory

The anticipation is palpable as the UEFA Champions League advances to the last-16 stage. Football enthusiasts worldwide are eager to see how the matchups unfold, especially with English giants Arsenal and Liverpool in the mix. This article delves into the details of the upcoming draw, the potential opponents, and what fans can expect in this thrilling phase of Europe's premier club competition.

The New Champions League Format Explained

The 2024/25 season introduced a revamped Champions League structure, transitioning from the traditional group stage to a single league phase. In this format, 36 teams compete in a single league, each playing eight matches against different opponents—four at home and four away. The top eight teams from this phase automatically advance to the last 16, while teams finishing 9th to 24th enter a two-legged knockout play-off to secure their spots. This change aims to increase competition and provide more high-stakes matches early in the tournament.

Key Dates and Broadcast Information

Draw Date and Time: The last-16 draw is scheduled for Friday, February 21, 2025, at 11:00 AM GMT (12:00 PM CET).

Location: UEFA Headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

How to Watch: Fans can watch the draw live on UEFA's official website and YouTube channel. Additionally, live television coverage will be available on TNT Sports 1 from 11:00 AM GMT. TNT Sports subscribers can also stream the event online via the Discovery+ app and website.

Teams Qualified for the Last 16

The following teams have secured their spots in the last 16:

England: Liverpool, Arsenal, Aston Villa

Spain: Barcelona, Atlético Madrid

Germany: Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund

Italy: Inter Milan

France: Lille, Paris Saint-Germain

Netherlands: Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven

Portugal: Benfica

Belgium: Club Brugge

Scotland: Celtic

Potential Matchups for Arsenal and Liverpool

Due to UEFA's pairing system, both Arsenal and Liverpool have a clear view of their potential opponents:

Arsenal: Finishing third in the league phase, the Gunners are set to face either Feyenoord or PSV Eindhoven. Feyenoord advanced by eliminating AC Milan, while PSV knocked out Juventus in a thrilling extra-time victory.

Liverpool: As league phase leaders, Liverpool will be drawn against either Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) or Benfica. PSG showcased dominance by thrashing Brest 10-0 on aggregate, and Benfica edged out Monaco to secure their spot.

Notable Play-off Highlights

The knockout play-off round provided intense drama:

Manchester City vs. Real Madrid: In a high-octane clash, Real Madrid emerged victorious, eliminating Manchester City with a 6-3 aggregate score, highlighted by a Kylian Mbappé hat-trick.

Celtic vs. Bayern Munich: Celtic's valiant effort fell short as Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies secured a stoppage-time goal, leading to a 3-2 aggregate win for the German side.

Champions League Last-16 Draw Procedure

The draw will follow a seeded format:

Seeded Teams: The top eight teams from the league phase.

Unseeded Teams: Winners from the knockout play-offs.

Seeded teams will play the second leg of their ties at home, providing a potential advantage. Importantly, teams from the same country can face each other from this stage onward, adding an extra layer of excitement.

Upcoming Match Schedule

First Legs: March 4 and 5, 2025

Second Legs: March 11 and 12, 2025

These fixtures promise high-stakes action as teams vie for a coveted spot in the quarter-finals.

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