The drama of the Champions League group stage has subsided, leaving a select few to battle for European glory. Sixteen teams now stand poised on the precipice of knockout competition, their fates hanging in the balance.
A surge of Premier League power has broken through, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham, and a surging Newcastle United all securing their places in the last sixteen. Newcastle’s impressive form saw them cruise past Qarabag, signaling their intent on the continental stage.
Joining the English contingent are European heavyweights Bayern Munich and Barcelona, alongside Sporting, who bypassed the playoff rounds altogether. But the playoffs themselves delivered shocks, rewriting expectations and defying predictions.
Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen navigated their ties successfully on Tuesday, but the biggest upset came courtesy of Bodo/Glimt. The Norwegian side stunned Italian giants Inter Milan, eliminating them over two legs in a truly remarkable display of underdog spirit.
Wednesday’s remaining playoff matches hold immense weight, with Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Juventus all fighting to avoid elimination and claim their spot amongst Europe’s elite. The tension is palpable as these titans clash for survival.
Once the final sixteen are confirmed, all eyes will turn to the draw, a moment of anticipation that will define the paths to Wembley. The draw will reveal the pairings, setting the stage for a thrilling series of encounters.
Mark your calendars: the Champions League last 16 draw is scheduled for February 27th at 11am UK time. Fans can witness the drama unfold live and free on the TNT Sports YouTube channel.
Arsenal, having topped their group, face potential clashes with Borussia Dortmund or Bayer Leverkusen. Chelsea could be drawn against Newcastle, Monaco, or even the star-studded Paris Saint-Germain.
Liverpool’s journey could pit them against Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray, or Juventus, while Manchester City might face the challenge of Bodo/Glimt, Real Madrid, or Benfica. Tottenham, too, could encounter Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray, or Juventus.
Barcelona’s path could lead to a showdown with Newcastle, Monaco, or PSG. Bayern Munich will be wary of potential matchups against Borussia Dortmund or Bayer Leverkusen, and Sporting could face Bodo/Glimt, Real Madrid, or Benfica.
A significant advantage awaits the teams who finished atop their groups: they will host the second leg of their round of sixteen ties, offering a crucial home-field advantage in the quest for a semi-final berth.
The remaining playoff fixtures on February 25th promise further drama. Atalanta trails Borussia Dortmund 2-0, Juventus faces a daunting task against Galatasaray (trailing 2-5), PSG holds a narrow lead over Monaco (3-2), and Real Madrid defends a 1-0 advantage against Benfica.
The first legs of the last sixteen will be played on March 10th and 11th, igniting the knockout phase. The return legs, scheduled for March 17th and 18th, will determine which teams advance to the quarter-finals, inching closer to the ultimate prize.
