The new format of the UEFA Champions League this season has introduced a single league phase featuring 36 teams, with a clear distinction between those that qualify directly for the round of 16 and those that must progress through the knockout play-offs. The top eight teams from the league phase, including familiar names such as Liverpool, Arsenal, Inter Milan, and Barcelona have secured automatic places in the last 16.
Meanwhile, teams finishing in positions nine to 24 now face an additional hurdle in a two-legged play-off round to claim the remaining eight spots. We decided it would be a good idea to comment a bit on the outlines the play-off bracket, first-leg matchups and dates, as well as what lies ahead in the maiden tournament of the Champions League featuring this new and interesting format.
Group Stage Results Overview
The league phase concluded with a series of competitive matches that saw several traditional heavyweights and emerging clubs confirm their status. Top-seeded Liverpool finished the stage with 21 points and a strong goal difference, while Barcelona and Arsenal also recorded impressive campaigns.
Historical consistency was evident among the established clubs, although there were notable surprises from teams that had to fight hard for every point. For instance, clubs such as Atlético Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen managed to secure their positions through balanced displays, and the margin for error was slim as teams outside the top eight now have to navigate the play-off round.
Coaches have also had to adjust to the new format, which demands consistency over eight games in a single table rather than the traditional group stage. This new structure has provided both a test of endurance and an opportunity for teams to climb the table steadily, with every match influencing not only qualification but also the seeding for the knockout rounds.
Group Stage Results
The top eight teams that have directly qualified for the round of 16 are Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, Atlético Madrid, Aston Villa, and Lille. These teams topped their respective groups and will be seeded in the round of 16 draw. Teams finishing 9th to 16th enter the playoffs as seeded teams, and those finishing 17th to 24th are unseeded. The teams involved in the play-offs are:
Seeded:
- Atalanta
- Real Madrid
- Borussia Dortmund
- Benfica
- Bayern Munich
- Milan
- Paris Saint-Germain
- PSV Eindhoven
Unseeded:
- Monaco
- Juventus
- Sporting CP
- Manchester City
- Celtic
- Brest
- Feyenoord
- Club Brugge
Knockout Play-off Phase
The play-off round is scheduled to be played over two legs, with the first legs taking place on 11 and 12 February 2025. The draw, which was conducted using a predetermined bracket, has produced the following key matchups:
- Brest vs. Paris Saint-Germain
- Juventus vs. PSV Eindhoven
- Sporting CP vs. Borussia Dortmund
- AS Monaco vs. Benfica
- Club Brugge vs. Atalanta
- Manchester City vs. Real Madrid
- Celtic vs. Bayern Munich
- Feyenoord vs. AC Milan
Each tie will see the seeded team, determined by finishing between 9th and 16th in the league phase, host the second leg. While the unseeded team (finishing between 17th and 24th) will play away in the first leg. This home-and-away format is designed to balance any advantages that might arise from venue familiarity. The specific kick-off times for the matches have been confirmed by UEFA, and fans across the UK can expect a series of evening fixtures that fit within the typical viewing schedule.
Round of 16 and Format Changes
Following the completion of the play-off round on 18 and 19 February 2025, the winners will join the top eight teams in the round of 16. A fresh draw is scheduled for 21 February, where the remaining 16 clubs will be paired for the next stage of the competition. The round-of-16 ties, like the play-offs, will be played over two legs, with subsequent quarter-finals and semi-finals also following a home-and-away format before the final is held at the Allianz Arena in Munich on 31 May 2025.
This season’s changes are significant. The move from the traditional group format to a single league table has increased the number of matches and placed a premium on every point earned during the league phase.
Furthermore, the introduction of the knockout play-offs means that even teams with solid campaigns may now face an additional elimination round. This added phase ensures that only those who consistently perform well across the season – and can handle the added pressure of a two-legged tie – progress to the latter stages.
As clubs prepare for the intensified schedule, key players will be looked upon to maintain their form and provide the spark needed to overcome tough opposition.
In previous seasons, the winner of a head-to-head between Man City and Real Madrid has gone on to win the Champions League, a historical note that adds intrigue to their upcoming contest. The bracket format ensures that teams paired together in the play-offs, such as Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, are placed on opposite sides of the draw, preventing them from meeting again until the final.
