After an eventful conclusion to the Champions League league phase, the lineup for the playoffs has been finalized. Sixteen teams will need to navigate these knockout rounds to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
In a surprising turn of events on Wednesday evening, Real Madrid faced defeat against Benfica, ending with a score of 4-2. This loss allowed Sporting CP to clinch an automatic qualification spot, courtesy of a dramatic 95th-minute goal. The match results have not only shocked Real Madrid fans but have also revealed the vulnerability of prominent teams within this year’s tournament.
Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain had a disappointing league phase, finishing in 11th place, while last year’s finalists, Inter Milan, ended just above them in 10th. Such unexpected outcomes mean that historically significant clubs find themselves facing additional challenges in their quest for Champions League glory.
The Champions League knockout playoff draw is set to take place at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland, on Friday, January 30. Scheduled to start at 11 a.m. GMT (6 a.m. ET, 3 a.m. PT), the draw will follow an introductory video package, setting the stage for the upcoming matches.
Football enthusiasts can catch the draw live on the UEFA website, while the UEFA app will stream it for fans on the move. In the United Kingdom, TNT Sports will provide coverage for subscribers.
The playoff system has deemed teams finishing between 9th and 24th place in the league phase to battle for progression, while the top eight have secured their positions. Here’s a breakdown of the teams:
**Seeded Teams:**
– 9th: Real Madrid
– 10th: Inter Milan
– 11th: Paris Saint-Germain
– 12th: Newcastle United
– 13th: Juventus
– 14th: Atlético Madrid
– 15th: Atalanta
– 16th: Bayer Leverkusen
**Unseeded Teams:**
– 17th: Borussia Dortmund
– 18th: Olympiacos
– 19th: Club Brugge
– 20th: Galatasaray
– 21st: Monaco
– 22nd: Qarabağ
– 23rd: Bodø/Glimt
– 24th: Benfica
The upcoming draw presents an exciting opportunity for clubs to turn their fortunes around and create thrilling matchups in the knockout stage. Fans will be eagerly anticipating how the playoffs will unfold as these iconic teams strive for advancement in one of football’s most prestigious tournaments.