The Champions League group phases are over and we have a much better idea of who will play who in the knockout phases. Who will the English sides and Celtic face?
Pep Guardiola is confronted with a potential return to Bayern Munich in the play-offs after his Manchester City Beat Beat Club Brugge to continue their Champions League campaign.
But City will be confronted with a tough test to reach the last 16 with City and Celtic opposite Bayern Munich or Real Madrid for a chance to play Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.
“Real Madrid or Bayern Munich – One is the king of the competition, the other is perhaps the second or third king of the competition,” Guardiola said after the potential opponents of the city were revealed.
Aston Villa demolished in the top eight through the skin of their teeth after Atalanta had not defeated Barcelona and fell into the play-offs, which means that the side of Unai Emery is one of Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting or Club Brugge in the last 16 will get.
Arsenal and Liverpool already knew that their automatic progression was secured.
Liverpool at the top of the total table and will now be confronted with one of Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Monaco or Brest.
Arsenal could encounter one of the two Serie A-Giants with AC Milan, PSV, Feyenoord or Juventus their possible opponents of the last 16.
Who will play British teams in the next round – and who can they be seen in the last 16?
Liverpool (Ranked No. 1)
Tour of 16: vs PSG (15th), Benfica (16th), Monaco (17th) or Brest (18th).
Arsenal (Ranked No. 3)
Tour of 16: US AC Milan (13th), PSV (14th), Feyenoord (19th) or Juventus (20th).
Aston Villa (ranked no. 8)
Tour of 16: US Atalanta (9th), Borussia Dortmund (10th), Sporting (23rd) or Club Brugge (24th).
Celtic (Ranked No. 21)
Knockout -Stray -Futs: vs Bayern Munich (11th) or Real Madrid (12th).
Tour of 16: US Atletico Madrid (5th) or Bayer Leverkusen (6th).
Manchester City (Ranked No. 22)
Knockout -Stray -Futs: vs Bayern Munich (11th) or Real Madrid (12th).
Tour of 16: US Atletico Madrid (5th) or Bayer Leverkusen (6th).
Why there can be two all-British quarterfinals …
We will not know the exact format of the tournament outside the play-offs until February, when the last-16 trek is held.
But there is a chance that there can be two all-British quarterfinals.
After they are the first and eighth, Liverpool and Aston Villa have to win their last 16 games, they may face each other in the last eight.
Similarly, one of Celtic and Manchester City will set up a potential quarterfinals with Arsenal if they win their play-offs and then beat Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen.
Who are all teams until the next round?
Confirmed in round of 16
Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, Aston Villa.
Confirmed in knockout phase play-offs
Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, AC Milan, PSV, PSG, Benfica, Monaco, Brest, Feyenoord, Juventus, Celtic, Man City, Sporting, Club Brugge.
Eliminated
Dinamo Zagreb, Stuttgart, Shakhtar Donetsk, Bologna, Crvena Zvezda, Sturm Graz, Sparta Praag, RB Leipzig, Girona, RB Salzburg, Slovan Bratislava, young boys.
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