The anticipation for European club football’s premier competition reached new heights with the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 round of 16 draw conducted on Friday. With mouthwatering fixtures, the path to glory in Munich is now clear for the 16 remaining contenders.
Reigning champions Real Madrid face city rivals Atlético Madrid in a heated derby, Liverpool clash with French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and Bayern Munich take on Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen in an all-German affair.
The two-legged ties will take place on March 4-5 and March 11-12, with the quarter-final and semi-final brackets offering potential blockbuster encounters as teams vie for European supremacy.
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Liverpool Face PSG in Blockbuster Tie
Liverpool’s reward for topping their group with an impressive seven wins from eight matches was a challenging fixture against PSG. Despite progressing as a top seed, Arne Slot’s men find themselves up against an in-form Parisian side that cruised past Brest with a commanding 10-0 aggregate in the playoff round.
The fixture promises to be a goal-laden affair, featuring Mohamed Salah and Ousmane Dembélé—two of the competition’s standout attackers this season. Adding to the drama, both clubs currently lead their domestic leagues, making this an evenly poised contest. The victor will face either Aston Villa or Club Brugge in the quarter-finals.
“Liverpool may leave the draw feeling hard done by,” remarked analysts, highlighting the English club’s tough route despite their stellar group-stage campaign.
Madrid Derby: Real vs Atlético Set for High-Stakes Clash
The standout tie of the round pits 15-time champions Real Madrid against city rivals Atlético Madrid. The first leg will be held at the Santiago Bernabéu, with the decisive return at the Metropolitano. Real Madrid secured their round of 16 berth after a stunning 6-3 aggregate triumph over Manchester City, featuring a Kylian Mbappé hat trick in the second leg.
Atlético Madrid, meanwhile, face an exhausting schedule, including three meetings with Barcelona in both the Copa del Rey and LaLiga. This derby is more than just a regional battle—it’s a critical step toward European silverware.
The winner of this all-Spanish encounter will meet either Arsenal or PSV Eindhoven in the quarter-finals, potentially setting up a semifinal with Liverpool or PSG.
All-German Showdown: Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen
A clash of Germany’s top two sees Bayern Munich lock horns with Bayer Leverkusen. Both sides battled to a goalless draw in their recent Bundesliga fixture, underscoring how evenly matched they are. Bayern’s vast European experience contrasts with Leverkusen’s youthful exuberance, setting the stage for a fascinating contest.
The victor will advance to face either Feyenoord or Inter Milan in the quarter-finals, with a semifinal date against one of Barcelona, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, or Lille awaiting.
English Clubs Eye Deep Runs: Arsenal and Aston Villa’s Prospects
Arsenal’s encounter with PSV Eindhoven revives a familiar European fixture, with the Gunners eager to assert their continental credentials. Should they navigate the Dutch side successfully, a possible quarterfinal against the winner of the Madrid derby looms.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, have drawn Club Brugge—a tie many see as winnable for the Premier League outfit. However, with the possibility of meeting PSG or Liverpool in the quarter-finals, Unai Emery’s side faces a steep climb to the latter stages.
Other Notable Fixtures: Barcelona vs Benfica and Dortmund vs Lille
Barcelona, led by Hansi Flick, will square off against Benfica in a rematch of their thrilling 5-4 group stage contest earlier this season. With the second leg at home, Barça will hope to leverage their Camp Nou fortress.
Borussia Dortmund face Lille, completing the set of intriguing matchups on this side of the draw. The winners from these fixtures could set up tantalizing quarter-final and semifinal encounters with European heavyweights.
Full Round of 16 Fixtures
- Feyenoord (NED) vs Inter Milan (ITA)
- PSV Eindhoven (NED) vs Arsenal (ENG)
- Real Madrid (ESP) vs Atlético Madrid (ESP)
- Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) vs Liverpool (ENG)
- Club Brugge (BEL) vs Aston Villa (ENG)
- Benfica (POR) vs Barcelona (ESP)
- Borussia Dortmund (GER) vs Lille (FRA)
- Bayern Munich (GER) vs Bayer Leverkusen (GER)
Quarter-Final and Semi-Final Pathways
The quarter-final and semi-final draws provide tantalizing prospects:
Quarter-Finals:
- PSV/Arsenal vs Real Madrid/Atlético Madrid
- Paris Saint-Germain/Liverpool vs Club Brugge/Aston Villa
- Benfica/Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund/Lille
- Bayern Munich/Bayer Leverkusen vs Feyenoord/Inter Milan
Semi-Finals:
- PSV/Arsenal/Real Madrid/Atlético Madrid vs Paris Saint-Germain/Liverpool/Club Brugge/Aston Villa
- Benfica/Barcelona/Borussia Dortmund/Lille vs Bayern Munich/Bayer Leverkusen/Feyenoord/Inter Milan
Read More: Real Madrid Contemplating La Liga Exit Amid Bellingham Red Card Saga
FAQs
When will the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 matches be played?
The first-leg fixtures are scheduled for March 4-5, with the return legs taking place on March 11-12.
Which teams face off in the standout fixtures of the Round of 16?
Real Madrid clash with Atlético Madrid in a high-stakes derby, while Liverpool meet Paris Saint-Germain in a thrilling tie.
Who will the winners of the Liverpool vs PSG tie face in the quarterfinals?
The victorious side will play against either Aston Villa or Club Brugge in the last eight.
What is the potential semifinal matchup for Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid?
The winner of the Madrid derby could face either Arsenal or PSV Eindhoven in the semifinals.
Which Bundesliga teams are set to meet in the Round of 16, and what’s at stake?
Bayern Munich will play Bayer Leverkusen, with the winner advancing to face either Feyenoord or Inter Milan in the quarterfinals.
