The league stage of the Champions League has ended. We know the eight teams that will advance to the last 16, but where and who will they play in the two more games scheduled to qualify?
The top eight teams – Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting and Man City – have all qualified for the next round of the Champions League, but it remains to be seen who they will face in the knockout stages.
Here’s everything you need to know about the playoff draw and the people involved…
How are the playoffs played?
Teams ranked 9th to 24th in the league stage will now go head-to-head in two-legged playoff games to determine which eight teams will advance to the Round of 16 as unseeded teams. Opponents will be determined by the top 8 ranked teams.
Each team in the playoffs already knows from their standing in the league that they will ultimately go down one of two paths. For example, the 9th and 10th placed teams, Real Madrid and Inter Milan, will face either Bodo/Glimt and Benfica, the 23rd and 24th placed teams respectively, in the playoffs. The same goes for 11th and 12th versus 1st, or 21st and 22nd, etc. Exactly who will play whom will be determined by the knockout playoff draw.
Teams from the same national association can play against each other in this stage, as well as teams that played against each other in the league stage.
When is the playoff draw?
The draw will be held at UEFA headquarters in Switzerland on Friday, January 30th, and is scheduled to start at 11am, although it is expected to start a little later due to all the formalities, montages and guest presenters.
Who will be in the playoffs?
Standings after UCL Round 8
The 16 teams competing to advance to the top 16 are…
9th place: Real Madrid 10th place: Inter Milan 11th place: PSG 12th place: Newcastle 13th place: Juventus 14th place: Atletico Madrid 15th place: Atalanta 16th place: Bayer Lever Kusen 17th: Borussia Dortmund 18th: Olympiakos 19th: Club Brugge 20th: Galatasaray 21st: Monaco 22nd: Qarabag 23rd: Bodo/Glimt 24th: Benfica
Who will Newcastle face in the play-offs?
Newcastle will face either Qarabag or Monaco when the play-off draw takes place on Friday.
The two winners will face either Barcelona or Chelsea in the last 16.
Champions League knockout phase, play-off permutations
When are the playoffs held?
Matches will be held midweek on February 17-18 and 24-25.
When is the drawing for the top 16?
After the playoff round, the draw for the best 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals will be held on February 27th.
