The 2024-25 UEFA champions League is currently underway and top clubs as usual are competing to win the top prize.
This year’s competition introduced a new format never seen before. Initially, when the competition began, fans were confused about the new format.
However, as the competition progressed, the UEFA Champions League’s new format became clear to those who were initially confused.
The first round of the competition has been played and the competition has entered it round of 16. The draw for the round of 16 has been conducted and clubs now know their opponent.
All is set for an intriguing round of 16 of the competition. The subsequent sections of this post preview the round of 16 fixtures to keep you abreast of what to expect in each match.
But before previewing the round of 16 matches, let’s take one last look at the new UEFA Champions League format and demystify any residue misunderstanding.
New Champions League Format.
Before the 2024-25 edition of the Uefa champions league, the competition followed the old format where 32 competing clubs from different European countries were grouped into eight groups.
Each group was made up of four clubs. The four clubs played against each other in home and away fixtures. The clubs that finished in the 1st and 2nd positions of each group qualify automatically for the round of 16.
Four clubs that finished 3rd in their groups with high points are demoted to the Europa League. The remaining four clubs in 3rd positions of their groups as well as the eight clubs that finished fourth (last) in each group are eliminated from the competition.
But in this new Uefa Champions League format, the competing groups are not placed into eight subgroups.
Each team plays eight different matches in the first round. In this round, teams don’t play home and away matches against the same opponent.
They play four home matches and four away matches against different opponents. This means every team get to play against eight different opponents during the course of the first round.
After the first round of matches, the teams that occupy the top eight positions qualify automatically for the round of 16.
While the teams occupying the bottom eight positions on the log are disqualified from the competition. In the new format, no team from the Champions League is demoted to the Europa League.
Teams that occupy from 9th to 24th positions on the table are grouped to play a playoff. In the playoff fixtures, the teams play home and away.
The eight teams that qualify from the play-off progress to the round of 16. The competition follows the usual sequence from the round of 16.
Preview of the Uefa Champions League Round of 16
Following the first round of the competition and the playoffs, the competition is headed into the round of 16 with draws already conducted.
Who would win this season’s UEFA Champions League? Are Madrid likely to defend the trophy and extend their record as the most successful club in the history of the competition?
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Club Brugge Vs Aston Villa
Aston Villa travels to Belgium for the first leg of the competition. After several years of absence in the Champions League, the English team are currently having a dramatic run in the competition.
This fixture could go either way with both teams considered as underdog in the competition. It would be interesting to see who emerges the winner of this tie over the two legs.
Borussia Dortmund vs Lille
Dortmund plays host to the French team in their first leg of the round of 16 tie. The German team were last year’s finalist in the competition where they lost to the eventual winners, Real Madrid.
They would be hoping to replicate their magical run of last season to see if they could correct their mistake and eventually win the competition after a long time.
But Lille stands in their way and the French team is looking strong and hoping to go as far as possible in the competition. This tie is pretty sitting on the balance and difficult to predict.
PSV vs Arsenal
This would have been said to be a walk in the park for Arsenal given their experience in the competition. But the Premier League team are currently battling several injury problems with their top players.
Also, one has to recall that PSV recently pulled a shocker to eliminate the Italian giant, Juventus in the playoffs. This explains why the Dutch team should not be seen as pushovers.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid
Atletico would be hoping to take their pound of flesh from the Los Blancos when they square against eternal rival Real Madrid in the round of 16.
Madrid has been a nightmare to Atletico in the Champions League in recent years, winning two finals against Diego Simeone’s men.
This game of local rivals promises to excite fans of football will surely keep an eye on this fixture to see which team emerge as the winner.
Mbappe who recently joined Madrid is yet to win the competition and is very motivated to give his all in a bid to win the elusive silverware.
He would be the star man to watch in this tie considering his man-of-the-match performance against Manchester City in the playoffs.
Feyenoord vs Inter Milan
After pulling a shocker to eliminate AC Milan from the competition in the playoffs, Feyenoord bids to repeat the same feat against Inter Milan in the round of 16.
Inter Milan is expected to prove too big for the Dutch side given the quality of players in it ranks. The likes of Lautaro Martinez and Thuram are expected to make light of this fixture and lead the Italian team to the quarter-final.
Bayern Munich vs Bayern Leverkusen
Leverkusen are still on their surreal run of form from last season. But the German club is increasingly looking likely to lose their league title to Bayern Munich this season.
Xavi Alonso’s men would be hoping to eliminate their local rival as restitution in case they fail to defend their league.
Both teams recently squared up in the league with the game ending stalemates. Leverkusen has proven to be pals with Bayern in the last two seasons, making this fixture difficult to call.
Benfica vs Barcelona
Both teams played during the first round of the competition in a fixture considered by many as the most interesting match of the round.
It was a nine-goal thriller with Barcelona coming from behind to win the fixture. Like the previous game, Benfica would pose a great challenge but Barcelona are expected to go through.
Paris Germain vs Liverpool
This is one of the most interesting fixtures of the round 16. PSG recently made some important additions to their team during the January transfer window to improve their squad.
On the other hand, Liverpool has been on fine form this season since the appointment of their coach, Arne Slot. They finished top of the log after in the first round of the competition.
They’re largely considered as one of the favourite teams to win the competition. This game, and many others, is too balanced to call.
Date for the Uefa champions League of round of 16
The date for the first leg of the champion’s round of 16 is Tuesday 4th, and Wednesday 5th of March.
The return leg would be played the following week on Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th
