What To Watch Out For in the UEFA Champions League Knockout Rounds
Published on 03 Feb 2025 | Last updated on 03 Feb 2025 | Reading time: 4 minutes
The UEFA Champions League introduced a fresh twist this season by implementing a 36-team league phase instead of the traditional initial stage consisting of eight groups of four. The top eight teams advanced directly to the Round of 16, while those finishing 9th to 24th were slotted into playoff matchups. The changes were implemented to throw up more exciting ties from the outset, with heavyweights facing off against each other far earlier than in years gone by.
While that certainly happened, the same heavyweights still progressed to the latter stages... despite a scare or two. There were no such fears for Liverpool, mind you. They ultimately won the initial league phase, emerging victorious in seven of their eight games before a heavily rotated side lost away at PSV Eindhoven on matchday eight with their progression already secured. Barcelona ran them close, finishing as runners-up thanks to the menacing front three of Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha.
However, the initial league phase is now over, and the knockout round is just around the corner. A newly installed playoff round is up next, positioned between the league phase and the Round of 16. Those two-legged contests will take place on the 11th/12th and 18/19th February, and here is what you can expect to see between now and the final in Munich on May 31st.
Manchester City’s Mission to Reignite Their Campaign
Over the last decade or so, Manchester City have arguably been the dominant force in European football. Manager Pep Guardiola has led The Blues to five Premier League titles in the last six years, including the last four on the spin. This season, however, despite their star-studded lineup, they find themselves in unchartered territory.
The 2023 tournament winners were on the cusp of elimination throughout the final matchday against Club Brugge. They needed a win to progress, and live betting sites made them a huge -1000 favourite to emerge victorious. Shockingly, however, they fell to a 1-0 halftime deficit, prompting websites offering live betting on sports to push them all the way out to +200 to get the three points they so desperately needed.
Ultimately, they got the job done, with goals from Mateo Kovacic, Savinho, and a Joel Ordonez own goal securing a come-from-behind 3-1 victory. That was enough to secure progression, albeit as the 22nd-ranked team. Their reward? A daunting tie against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich
Now, City is considered a +1000 contender for the trophy, But don't be surprised to see them turn things around.
With them out of contention in the Premier League, the Champions League will now become their number one priority. They have shown signs of life in recent weeks and that the worst may well be behind them, as demonstrated by back-to-back comeback victories against Chelsea and now Club Brugge. Their impending clash with either the German or Spanish giants won't be easy, but if they come through that unscathed, they could well go all the way.
Aston Villa and Lille’s Fairytale Runs Continue
One of the standout stories emerging this season is the rise of two unlikely contenders, Aston Villa and Lille. Both sides secured direct entry into the Round of 16 by finishing in the top eight of the league phase, ending up in seventh and eighth place respectively. But supporters of both clubs aren't just happy to be here; they're expecting their teams to now kick on.
Villa’s return to Europe’s elite competition has been a revelation. Manager Unai Emery is a man with vast experience in European knockout football, leading Sevilla and Villareal to Europa League glory on three separate occasions. They have already beaten Bayern Munich this season, and none of the continent's traditional big guns will fancy a trip to a raucous Villa Park.
Their French counterpart's campaign has been equally impressive. Spearheaded by Canadian striker Jonathan David, they have already beaten both Madrid clubs, and they will fancy their chances against whichever opponent comes their way.
In the Round of 16, any two of Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Sporting CP, and Club Brugge await. While the former three of that quartet are by no means easy contests, both Villa and Lille will certainly feel like they can emerge victorious.
European Heartbreak Continues?
Two clubs with storied histories of near-misses in Europe—Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen—find themselves yet again walking the tightrope of triumph and heartbreak. Both teams made it to the Round of 16 with top-eight finishes in the league phase, but history has shown that glory often eludes them when it matters most.
The former of that duo reached two finals in three seasons in 2014 and 2016, losing on both occasions to arch-cross-city rivals Real Madrid. The latter was also downed by Los Blancos back in 2002, as well famously throwing away both the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal within a matter of days.
Diego Simeone's Atleti once defined themselves as Europe’s gritty underdogs. However, their recent record in knockout matches suggests that they still lack the final piece to become European champions. They are flying in La Liga this season and have beaten both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain away from home. But with a potential last-16 clash against their arch-nemesis looming on the horizon, their journey could end before it really gets underway.
For Leverkusen, they have turned a corner since the dark days of 2002. Last term, they shed their "Neverkusen" nickname as they won the German title for the first time, doing so in invincible fashion.
Now, Xabi Alonso aims to take them to the latter stages of the Champions League. But with a whole host of clubs sniffing around star striker Victor Boniface and a potential meeting with Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and the aforementioned Los Blancos just around the corner, they have every right to be worried.
