The UEFA Champions League 2024-25 playoffs are set, introducing a revamped format that replaces the traditional group stage with a league phase, ensuring high-intensity matchups from the start. Top European clubs will now battle in a knockout-style playoff round to secure a place in the Round of 16,
The UEFA Champions League's first-ever league phase came to a dramatic close on Wednesday, setting up for an equally entertaining knockout stage that begins in two weeks' time. The introduction of the new format means the Champions League will introduce a new phase of competition in February when 16 teams will take part in the knockout round playoffs.
With a spot in the knockouts already secure, Bayern Munich have a chance to sneak into the top eight of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday when the league phase comes to a close. Bayern enter Matchday 8 in 15th place but are just one point shy of a spot in the top eight and so direct passageway to the round of 16 is a real possibility for Vincent Kompany's side.
Celtic supporters have been giving their opinions on the club's potential UEFA away fan ban for the Bayern Munich Champions League trip.
Draw made Friday for the knockout playoffs round in the UEFA Champions League: First leg Feb 11-12 Club Brugge (Belgium) vs. Atalanta (Italy) Sporting Lisbon (Portugal) vs. Borussia Dortmund (Germany) Manchester City (England) vs.
CELTIC have warned their travlling fans that they are risking being DENIED access should they buy tickets and travel for their play-off round clash. The Hoops have been learned this morning that
Celtic have discovered the dates for their huge Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich.
The Scottish champions are due to play the second leg of the Champions League play-off in the Allianz Arena on February 18-19.
Bayern Munich will face either Manchester City or Celtic in the UEFA Champions League last 16 play-offs after missing out on direct qualification, despite beating Slovan Bratislava in their final league phase fixture.
Elsewhere, Celtic meet Bayern Munich and there is an all-French contest between minnows Brest and Paris Saint-Germain. The first legs of the play-off matches will take place on February 11/12, with the second legs on February 18/19. Sam Lee, Rory Smith, Oliver Kay, Seb Stafford-Bloor and Dermot Corrigan analyse the key talking points from the draw.