Champions League knockout stages explained: Why Man City have landed a nightmare play-off against Bayern Munich or Real Madrid
Champions League knockout stages explained: Why Man City have landed a nightmare play-off against Bayern Munich or Real Madrid
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The new-look league phase of the Champions League drew to a conclusion on Wednesday night with 18 matches taking place simultaneously in a blockbuster evening of action. Liverpool finished top of the 36-team table after earning seven wins and suffering just one defeat from their eight matches.
![[The Premier League champions will have to face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/30/10/94675549-14341647-image-a-30_1738234511585.jpg)
Arne Slot’s side were joined by Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille and Aston Villa in finishing in the top eight of the competition. The top eight sides secured automatic passage through to the round of 16, which is scheduled to take place at the start of March.
![[Manchester City are unseeded in the play-off draw and have been paired with Celtic]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/30/11/94675785-14341647-image-a-46_1738235024302.jpg)
Manchester City emerged as one of the most relieved sides on Wednesday, with Pep Guardiola’s side avoiding becoming one of 12 sides eliminated by coming from behind to earn a 3-1 win over Club Brugge. The 2023 Champions League winners advanced through to the knock-out stages by finishing 22nd in the table, but now face a nightmare path if they are to win the tournament for the second time.
![[UEFA have confirmed the seedings for the play-off draw based on teams' league positions]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/30/10/94675585-14341647-image-a-32_1738234610483.jpg)
Mail Sport explains how the knock-out stage is set to shape up ahead of the draw taking place on Friday. Man City boss Pep Guardiola is facing a daunting play-off in the Champions League. The Premier League champions will have to face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.
![[UEFA have revealed the bracket for the tournament, based on a tennis-style seeding system]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/30/10/94675583-14341647-image-a-34_1738234662109.jpg)
When revamping the format by scrapping the group stages in favour of single league phase, UEFA also needed to tweak the knock-out stages of the tournament. While eight teams automatically booked spots in the last-16, the teams ranked between ninth and 24th need to compete in an additional play-off round to seal their places.
![[Arne Slot's Liverpool could face PSG, Benfica, Monaco or Brest in the round of 16]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/30/10/94675667-14341647-image-a-35_1738234787256.jpg)
