UEFA Champions League Knockout Stage: The Exciting Battle for Trophy
Hey football fans! The UEFA Champions League knockout stage is here, and it’s getting intense. The best teams in Europe are fighting for the most famous trophy in club football. Right now, only 16 teams are left in the race. Some earned their spot by finishing in the top eight during the league phase, while others battled through the knockout playoffs to get here. Big names like Manchester City, AC Milan, and Juventus are already out, but teams like Arsenal, Barcelona, and Liverpool are back in action, ready to grab their spot in the quarterfinals.
The Round of 16 Lineup
The teams are split into two sides—Silver and Blue. Here’s who’s playing who:
Silver Side
PSV vs. Arsenal
Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) vs. Liverpool
Club Brugge vs. Aston Villa
Blue Side
Benfica vs. Barcelona
Borussia Dortmund vs. LOSC Lille
Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Feyenoord vs. Inter Milan
The standout match? Definitely the Madrid derby! Real Madrid, led by Carlo Ancelotti, takes on Atlético Madrid, managed by Diego Simeone. These two teams have a huge history, not just in La Liga but also in the Champions League. It’s a massive clash, and all eyes are on Kylian Mbappé, who’s chasing his first trophy with Real Madrid. The winner of this game will face either PSV or Arsenal in the quarterfinals—talk about a thrilling road ahead!
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid (2-1) Extended HIGHLIGHTS | UEFA Champions League Round Of 16
UEFA Champions League Schedule Made Simple
Here’s when and where these exciting games are happening. I’ve broken it down so it’s easy to follow.
First Legs
Tuesday, March 4
- Club Brugge vs. Aston Villa: 12:45 p.m. ET / 5:45 p.m. GMT
- Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid: 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
- PSV vs. Arsenal: 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
- Borussia Dortmund vs. LOSC Lille: 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
Wednesday, March 5
- Feyenoord vs. Inter Milan: 12:45 p.m. ET / 5:45 p.m. GMT
- Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen: 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
- Benfica vs. Barcelona: 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
- PSG vs. Liverpool: 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
Second Legs
Tuesday, March 11
- Barcelona vs. Benfica: 1:45 p.m. ET / 6:45 p.m. GMT
- Inter Milan vs. Feyenoord: 4 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. GMT
- Liverpool vs. PSG: 4 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. GMT
- Bayer Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich: 4 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. GMT
Wednesday, March 12
- LOSC Lille vs. Borussia Dortmund: 1:45 p.m. ET / 6:45 p.m. GMT
- Aston Villa vs. Club Brugge: 4 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. GMT
- Arsenal vs. PSV: 4 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. GMT
- Atlético Madrid vs. Real Madrid: 4 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. GMT
Quarterfinals
Here’s who could face off next:
Winner of PSV/Arsenal vs. Winner of Real Madrid/Atlético Madrid
Winner of PSG/Liverpool vs. Winner of Club Brugge/Aston Villa
Winner of Benfica/Barcelona vs. Winner of Dortmund/Lille
Winner of Bayern/Leverkusen vs. Winner of Feyenoord/Inter
Dates:
First Legs: April 8 and 9, 2025
Second Legs: April 15 and 16, 2025
Semifinals
Dates:
First Legs: April 29 and 30, 2025
Second Legs: May 6 and 7, 2025
The Big Final
When: May 31, 2025
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
