The UEFA Champions League introduces a new knockout playoffs round this season, and it has already delivered a blockbuster clash: Real Madrid vs. Manchester City. The two most recent title winners finished mid-table in the revamped 36-team league phase, forcing them into this additional stage before the round of 16.
While the top-eight teams advanced directly to the next round, City and Madrid must now battle for a place they have long considered their rightful spot. The first leg kicks off on Tuesday in Manchester, with the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu on February 19.
A Different City Squad Faces Madrid
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City heads into this fixture with notable changes in both personnel and form. Key midfielder Rodri is out injured despite being included in the updated squad. Playmaker Kevin De Bruyne has struggled with fitness this season, and City has virtually conceded the Premier League title to Liverpool.
Additionally, new signings Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez have barely had time to integrate, with Gonzalez suffering an injury early in his debut.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, has hit its stride as La Liga leader. Kylian Mbappé, who took time to settle in, is now in top form, netting nine goals in his last eight games. His anticipated clash with City’s Erling Haaland adds another layer of intrigue to an already thrilling encounter.
French Derby: Brest vs. PSG
In another intriguing matchup, first-time Champions League contenders Brest face Paris Saint-Germain. Despite exceeding expectations in the league phase, Brest may have preferred a foreign opponent instead of their dominant domestic rivals.
PSG, unbeaten since November 26, recently defeated Brest 5-2 in Ligue 1. However, Brest will not be playing at its usual home ground, as their Stade Francis-Le Blé does not meet UEFA standards. Instead, they will host PSG at Guingamp’s Stade de Roudourou, about 70 miles away.
Italy vs. the Netherlands: Juventus vs. PSV, Feyenoord vs. Milan
The new knockout format has also allowed for early domestic clashes, previously avoided until the quarterfinals. Though an all-Italian or all-Dutch matchup did not occur, Juventus takes on PSV Eindhoven while Feyenoord faces AC Milan.
Juventus and PSV meet in Turin on Tuesday, a rematch of their league-phase clash where Juventus secured a 3-1 victory. Meanwhile, Milan, a two-time European champion, faces Dutch champions Feyenoord in what promises to be a tightly contested battle.
Bayern Munich Aims for a Home Final
Bayern Munich hopes to play in the final at its own Allianz Arena on May 31, but a 12th-place finish in the league phase means they must navigate the playoffs first. The German giants were fortunate to draw Celtic instead of a heavyweight like City. The Scottish champions, who lifted the European Cup in 1967, host the first leg on Wednesday.
Elsewhere, Club Brugge faces Europa League holders Atalanta, while Benfica travels to Monaco. Borussia Dortmund, last season’s runner-up, visits Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday, with both teams having recently changed coaches.
The newly expanded Champions League format has created unexpected challenges for some of Europe’s biggest clubs, but it also adds extra drama to the tournament. With high-profile clashes set to unfold, the knockout playoffs promise to be an exhilarating start to the business end of the competition.
