In 1992, the European Cup was replaced by its name today, and the initial group stage was introduced two years later, replacing the old KO format straight from the first round. In a short time, the biggest club competition in the world was changed.
Another big reshuffle occurs before the current campaign. The tournament was expanded to enter 36 teams, not 32, and the group stage was replaced by the league phase. Each team plays eight matches rather than six, with each party in the same league ranking.
The eight rounds of equipment are now complete. The top eight teams have passed round 16, while those who finished between the ninth and the 24th must compete play-off.
Is this new format successful? It depends on who you ask for. The old group base has grown stale and may be right to find a way to refresh everything. There are several unforgettable matches in the league phase, including Paris Saint-Germain 4-2 Manchester City and Benfica 4-5 Barcelona, and some amazing disorders, especially Lille 1-0 Real Madrid and Feyenoord 3-0 Bayern Munich.
However, Matchday Eight (where 18 matches occurred simultaneously) a little disappointing. Most of the main problems have been decided in the first round. The strength that will be expected for more drama and intrigue. In addition, there were no major victims among the 12 teams that were eliminated, with the possibility of the exception of RB Leipzig.
Now it’s time to look forward to the KO phase, starting with a play-off in February and continues with round 16 in March.
Play-off preview
Play-offs of two legs will be held on February 11-12 and 18-19 February. This is what you should expect from the eight bonds that occur.
Brest vs Paris Saint-Germain
Brest punched over their heavy with the finishing in the league phase. After all, this is a club that is not among the elites in France and is currently doing his CL game in Guingamp because the stadium itself is on a small side.
Paris Saint-Germain suffered some fear along the road, but in the end they got the 15th finish despite being handed over a difficult draw. Their 4-2 victory over Manchester City was very impressive.
Brest will be somewhat disappointed with this draw considering they regularly play PSG in the country. It’s hard to look through this side of Luis Enrique.
Prediction: Paris Saint-Germain to be passed.
Brugge vs Atalanta club
Atalanta was in a fight to finish the big eight, but in the end they lag one point. The Gian Piero Gasperini side won El last season and the experience they gained from what was going to stand instead in the KO phase.
Club Brugge was issued for a goal difference, thank you for the fact that Dinamo Zagreb lost 9-2 to Bayern Munich on Matchday One. They are one of the weakest teams left in the tournament.
You will never be able to just accept in football, but it will surprise if Atalanta falls in the play-offs. Gasperini men must pass without too much problem.
Prediction: Atalanta that must be passed.
Manchester City vs Real Madrid
Equipment that stands out from this round pitted two latest CL winners with each other. Manchester City and Real Madrid have fought for several epic head-to-head clashes in recent years, and we can be determined for others in the play-offs.
City Underwhelmed in the league phase and only secure their development on the last day. Madrid also suffered fair results from disappointing results on their journey to finish 11th.
There is no team that is fully convincing until now, but ease with which city releases opportunities for their opponents may be charged against Kylian Mbappe and Co.
Prediction: Real Madrid to go through.
Juventus vs PSV
Juventus are in a transition under Thiago Motta, who leads his team to the 20th place in the league phase. There were only 16 goals in their eight matches, which showed why many Italian soccer fans don’t like watching Juve at this time.
PSV is not boring at all. They scored for fun at Eredivisie under their-minded managers to attack Peter Bosz, even though the results were more diverse in CL.
Juventus is a club that is bigger than PSV, but it will not be a factor in this tie. The Dutch team can make a small surprise by eliminating their multilevel opponents.
Prediction: PSV to be passed.
Feyenoord vs AC Milan
Feyenoord has several interesting results in the league phase, drawing 3-3 with Manchester City, defeating Bayern Munich 3-0, and losing 6-1 to Lille. Good or bad they are the open side: Eight matches they average almost five goals per 90 minutes.
It is difficult to know what is expected from AC Milan, who defeated Real Madrid far from home but lost 2-1 to Dinamo Zagreb. The Italian giant changed their managers at the end of 2024, replacing Paulo Fonseca with Sergio Conceicao.
Prediction: AC Milan to be passed.
Celtic vs Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich lost three matches in the league phase, down to Aston Villa, Barcelona and Feyenoord. They may be strong in the country, but the jury remains on the part of Vincent Kompany at the highest level.
Celtic to the KO CL phase for the first time since 2012/13. The Brendan Rodgers team relied on their home shape, with three wins they came to Parkhead.
Celtic so far is the strongest side in Scotland, but they will fight to remain with Bayern Munich on two feet. German club will almost certainly be in round 16.
Prediction: Bayern Munich to be passed.
Sporting CP vs Borussia Dortmund
Sporting CP took 10 points from the first 12 available in the league phase, but they struggled to maintain that form after Ruben Amorim left for Manchester United. Three defeats and lottery were followed, but sports ran in the 23rd place.
Borussia Dortmund is also a mixed bag under Nuri Sahin, which was later replaced by Niko Kovac. We have to wait and see what it means for BVB in the future.
Kovac was an accomplished coach, and Dortmund reached the CL final last year, so they deserve to be a favorite in this play-off.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund to be passed.
Monaco vs Benfica
Monaco began their continent campaign by defeating Barcelona, but they only won one of their last four matches. Even so, the club from the kingdom realized their goal to advance to the Ko phase.
Benfica did the same thing, sealing their place in the next round belonging to an impressive 2-0 win against Juventus on Matchday Eight. They also struggled atlético Madrid 4-0 in the tournament.
This is arguably the toughest play-off for calling, remembering Benfica is finished in 16th and Monaco is finished 17. The Portuguese side did defeat their 3-2 Ligue 1 opponents in the league phase, and they could prioritize this two-legged tie as well.
Prediction: Benfica to be passed.
Round 16 of the team
Eight teams will bypass play-off and advance directly to round 16. In this section we carry out the rules above the best performance team in the league phase.
Liverpool
Liverpool leaves through the league phase, winning their first seven matches to qualify for Canter. The Arne Slot side then fell to be defeated by PSV on Matchday Eight, but the results had no meaning given by their previous victory.
Liverpool fly high in the league, where they are a strong favorite to win the title. The last 16 potential clash with Paris Saint-Germain will be an obstacle, but Liverpool is a team that must be defeated at CL now.
Will Play: Brest, Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco or Benfica.
Barcelona
Barcelona has not had many things to entertain in this tournament in recent years, but they are mostly fantastic in the 2024/25 edition of the league phase. Barcelona collected 19 points from the possibility of 24 and scored a total of 28 goals, giving them the best striker record in the tournament so far.
On the other hand, Hansi Flick’s accusation conceded more goals than other teams in the last 16. They have to tighten in the KO round, especially if they finally face Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16.
Will Play: Brest, Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco or Benfica.
Armory
Arsenal never won this tournament, their mistakes were determined to be right this season. With Liverpool in the leading position to win the league title, the Gunners can choose to put all their eggs in the European basket during the 16 roll around.
Arsenal are very solid and they package attacks too, especially when Bukayo Saka is fit. Lack of experience in the last stage of CL can be a factor, but Arsenal is a difficult proposition lately.
Will Play: Juventus, PSV, Feyenoord or AC Milan.
Between
Inter did not give much in the league phase, conceded only one goal in 720 minutes of football. That is proof for Simone Inzaghi and his players, who are currently balanced CL with Serie A’s title race, where Inter is a favorite to win.
Inter reached the final in 2023 and gave a good explanation of themselves, losing narrowly to Manchester City. They finished fourth in the league phase and should not be underestimated. The last potential clashes with domestic rival Juventus or AC Milan will be very large.
Will Play: Juventus, PSV, Feyenoord or AC Milan.
Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid lost to Benfica and Lille in matches two and three league phases, leaving them in a difficult position. But the Diego Simeone team then turned things around, winning five consecutive matches to jump to fifth place in the standings.
Atlético has reached the CL final twice below Simeone, but the lottery is not good this time. Most likely, Colchoneros Will face one of Manchester City, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the last 16.
Will Play: Manchester City, Real Madrid, Celtic or Bayern Munich.
Bayer Leverkusen
The ruling Bundesliga champion, Bayer Leverkusen is now determined to make their sign in the leading European competition. They finished sixth in the league phase after winning five and drawing one of their eight meetings under Xabi Alonso.
Like Atlético Madrid, Leverkusen must do things in a difficult way in round 16, with Real Madrid, Manchester City or Bayern Munich determined to be their opponents. However, it will be a mistake to write German clothing.
Will Play: Manchester City, Real Madrid, Celtic or Bayern Munich.
Lille
It is fair to say no one imagines Lille to finish seventh in the league phase. The French team did an extraordinary job to take 16 points, with a victory over Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid high points that were not in doubt.
Lille also drew with Juventus and struggled Feyenoord 6-1, while they only lost 2-1 to Liverpool at Anfield. But for all their achievements until now, the Bruno Genesio team remains outsiders to win the competition.
Will Play: Club Brugge, Atalanta, Sporting CP or Borussia Dortmund.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa won the European Cup in 1982, but this season was the first in Modern CL. The England side has been determined to redeem the missing time, collecting 16 points in the league phase to secure the last eight finish.
Unai Emery’s team was not consistent in the country in 2024/25, but their managers had an extraordinary track record in Ko football on the continent. Villa has the potential to be awkward opponents for anyone.
Will Play: Club Brugge, Atalanta, Sporting CP or Borussia Dortmund.
PS: Opportunities may have changed since the writing and publication of this article.
Last updated: 04.02.2025
