As the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League (UCL) season gets to the sensitive knockout stage, yesterday night, clear eight European teams booked their places in the Round of 16 of this season’s UEFA Champions League (UCL) following the conclusion of the group stage on the night.
Those who secured automatic qualification are Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City, Barcelona, and Sporting.
However, sixteen clubs that finished between ninth and 24th will now enter the knockout play-offs.
They are: Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle United, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Olympiacos, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Monaco, Qarabag, Bodo/Glimt, and Benfica.
Meanwhile, some possible match-ups for the Round of 16 have emerged following yesterday’s encounters.
To face Barcelona or Chelsea: Monaco or Qarabag vs Paris Saint-Germain or Newcastle.
To face Liverpool or Tottenham: Club Brugge or Galatasaray vs Juventus or Atletico Madrid.
To face Sporting or Manchester City: Bodo/Glimt or Benfica vs Real Madrid or Inter Milan.
To face Arsenal or Bayern Munich: Borussia Dortmund or Olympiacos vs Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen.
The play-off draw takes place at 11:00 GMT on Friday.
