Sports

Champions League Round Of 16 Draw: Date, Time, Qualified Teams, Fixtures

Published

1 year ago

February 21, 2025

The inaugural Champions League knockout play-offs have concluded, setting the stage for the much-anticipated round of 16 draw.

When is the Champions League Round of 16 Draw?
The draw will take place on Friday, February 21, at 11 AM (UK time); 12PM (Nigeria time).

Teams Qualified for the Round of 16
The top eight teams from the league phase automatically secured their spots in the round of 16. These teams are:

Liverpool
Barcelona
Arsenal
Inter Milan
Atletico Madrid
Bayer Leverkusen
Lille
Aston Villa
They will be joined by the eight winners from the knockout play-offs:

Bayern Munich
Benfica
Club Brugge
Feyenoord
Borussia Dortmund
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
Real Madrid
PSV Eindhoven
How Does the Last-16 Draw Work?
The draw follows a structured bracket system, with potential opponents for the last 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals pre-determined based on teams’ final league positions.

The top eight clubs are grouped into four seeded pairs according to their league phase rankings:

1st vs 2nd
3rd vs 4th
5th vs 6th
7th vs 8th
Each seeded pair is drawn against one of the knockout play-off winners. Four bowls will be used in the draw:

One for seeded teams
One for knockout play-off winners
Two for bracket allocation
Teams will be placed into the bracket systematically, ensuring a balanced knockout phase.

Who Could British Teams Face in the Last 16?
Liverpool (1st seed) vs PSG (15th) or Benfica (16th)
Arsenal (3rd seed) vs PSV (14th) or Feyenoord (19th)
Aston Villa (8th seed) vs Borussia Dortmund (10th) or Club Brugge (24th)
Champions League Knockout Play-Off Results

First Legs (February 11-12):

Brest 0-3 PSG
Juventus 2-1 PSV Eindhoven
Man City 2-3 Real Madrid
Sporting Lisbon 0-3 Borussia Dortmund
Club Brugge 2-1 Atalanta
Celtic 1-2 Bayern Munich
Feyenoord 1-0 AC Milan
Monaco 0-1 Benfica
Second Legs (February 18-19)

AC Milan 1-1 Feyenoord (agg 1-2)
Atalanta 1-3 Club Brugge (agg 2-5)
Bayern Munich 1-1 Celtic (agg 3-2)
Benfica 3-3 Monaco (agg 4-3)
Borussia Dortmund 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (agg 3-0)
PSG 7-0 Brest (agg 10-0)
PSV Eindhoven 3-1 Juventus (agg 4-3)
Real Madrid 3-1 Man City (agg 6-3)
Champions League Knockout Stage Schedule
Round of 16: March 4/5 & March 11/12
Quarter-finals: April 8/9 & April 15/16
Semi-finals: April 29/30 & May 6/7
Final: May 31 (Allianz Arena, Munich)
With the draw set to determine the next phase of the competition, excitement is building as teams prepare for the road to the Champions League final.

Sports

EPL: ‘Go For Alvarez’ – Paul Merson Hands Arsenal Two Signings To Make

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson, has handed his old club two signings to make in the summer.

Merson wants Arsenal to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez and a new midfielder.

“I would get a centre forward this summer, I would go for Julian Alvarez,” Merson said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.

“I am a big fan. If they could get him, I would. I still think they probably need another midfield player as well.”

Arsenal is expected to bolster its squad in the summer after winning the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City this season.

Sports

EPL: Wayne Rooney Picks Most Improved Player This Season

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney, has picked the Red Devils defender Luke Shaw as the most improved player in the Premier League following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

Speaking on his BBC podcast, Rooney said, “I think, for me, Luke Shaw. I think Luke Shaw has been the most improved player this season.

“I know he is an experienced player now, but I think his level this season has been much better than it has been in recent seasons.

“People might look at Kobbie Mainoo but I don’t think he’s improved. It was just the fact he wasn’t playing under the former manager so it wasn’t good or bad.”

Shaw enjoyed one of his most consistent seasons at Man United and started all of Man United’s Premier League games.

Sports

EPL: Maresca Signs Three-year Contract To Replace Guardiola At Man City

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Former Chelsea and Leicester City manager, Enzo Maresca has signed a three-year contract with Manchester City.

Maresca will now replace Pep Guardiola, who took charge of his last game on Sunday – a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, wrote on X on Tuesday: “Enzo Maresca has already signed a three-year deal as Manchester City’s new manager.

“Agreement until June 2029 and new chapter to start soon at #MCFC, with Maresca fully involved in the transfer strategy.

“Here we go, 100% confirmed.”

Maresca has been out of work since he left Stamford Bridge in January this year and has snubbed offers while waiting for the City job.