Champions League Round of 16 Draw Date and Match Schedule
THE newly expanded Champions League has brought a mix of excitement and bewilderment to fans this season.
With an increase in teams and matches, as well as a league table to monitor, many supporters are left contemplating the present scenario.
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At present, the second legs of the knockout phase play-offs are taking place.
But what lies ahead?
Here’s everything you need to know about the Champions League Last 16 draw and its stages.
When is the Champions League Last-16 stage draw?
The main draw for the Champions League Last 16 stage is set for Friday, February 21.
According to the new league table model, involving 36 teams, the top eight teams automatically advance to the Round of 16 and are seeded.
The bottom eight teams face elimination from European competition, with no opportunity to drop into the Europa League as in previous seasons.
The next cohort of 16 teams, ranked between 9th and 24th, will proceed to the knockout play-offs.
New Champions League format is unexciting
By Dan King
UEFA’s expansion of the Champions League from 32 to 36 teams, with each team playing eight matches instead of six in the group stage, was promoted as a way to boost competitiveness and excitement.
This format allows the largest clubs to face each other sooner rather than waiting for the knockout rounds.
Furthermore, smaller clubs have the opportunity to compete against peers and possibly secure wins that have eluded them in the past, especially against stronger teams.
While the financial benefits of increased matches are clear, the underlying concept appears fundamentally flawed.
Until now, the anticipated high-profile matchups have yet to produce any memorable encounters.
Why would they? With a lengthy season and the added matches, it seems imprudent for any team aiming for success in the spring to push themselves too hard in the fall.
Especially knowing they have six matches against less challenging opponents to collect sufficient points to qualify for at least the play-off stage.
The stakes seem lower than ever.
Read the complete commentary on the Champions League format’s deficiencies and why a reevaluation is crucial for everyone – including YOU.
When do the Champions League knockout phase play-offs take place and when is the Round of 16?
Teams finishing in the top eight who have advanced automatically to the Round of 16 will have to endure a slight delay.
After the final league phase match on January 29, clubs such as Liverpool, Arsenal, and Barcelona will not play their Last 16 matches until March.
These fixtures are scheduled for March 4-5 and 11-12.
What were the final Champions League league phase standings?
- Liverpool (straight into last 16)
- Barcelona (straight into last 16)
- Arsenal (straight into last 16)
- Inter (straight into last 16)
- Atletico Madrid (straight into last 16)
- Bayer Leverkusen (straight into last 16)
- Lille (straight into last 16)
- Aston Villa (straight into last 16)
- Atalanta (into last-16 play-off)
- Borussia Dortmund (into last-16 play-off)
- Real Madrid (into last-16 play-off)
- Bayern (into last-16 play-off)
- AC Milan (into last-16 play-off)
- PSV (into last-16 play-off)
- PSG (into last-16 play-off)
- Benfica (into last-16 play-off)
- Monaco (into last-16 play-off)
- Brest (into last-16 play-off)
- Feyenoord (into last-16 play-off)
- Juventus (into last-16 play-off)
- Celtic (into last-16 play-off)
- Man City (into last-16 play-off)
- Sporting (into last-16 play-off)
- Club Brugge (into last-16 play-off)
- Dinamo Zagreb (eliminated from Europe)
- Stuttgart (eliminated from Europe)
- Shakhtar Donetsk (eliminated from Europe)
- Bologna (eliminated from Europe)
- Crvenza Zvezda (eliminated from Europe)
- Sturm Graz (eliminated from Europe)
- Sparta Praha (eliminated from Europe)
- RB Leipzig (eliminated from Europe)
- Girona (eliminated from Europe)
- RB Salzburg (eliminated from Europe)
- Slovan (eliminated from Europe)
- Young Boys (eliminated from Europe)
Premier League clubs’ opponents
Here’s how the English clubs are faring in the Last 16.
These are the projected opponents for Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa following the conclusion of the knockout phase play-offs.
Last 16
- Liverpool vs PSG/Benfica
- Arsenal vs PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord
- Aston Villa vs Borussia Dortmund/Club Brugge
