UEFA Champions League Play-off Round Kicks Off Today
Today, February 11, marks the start of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League play-off round. Sixteen teams that missed out on direct qualification to the Round of 16 will battle for a place in the next phase of the competition. This play-off round is part of the revamped tournament format introduced this season.
Clash of Giants: Manchester City vs Real Madrid
The standout fixture of the night is undoubtedly Manchester City vs Real Madrid. A match of this caliber would typically be reserved for the final, but both teams underperformed in the main stage. City barely scraped into the play-offs, while Real also struggled to find their rhythm. As a result, one of these giants will be forced to exit the competition prematurely.
Other Key Fixtures
The play-off round also features several intriguing matchups. Juventus will host PSV Eindhoven, while Sporting CP takes on Borussia Dortmund in what promises to be a fiercely contested tie. Meanwhile, an all-French battle sees Brest face defending Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain. The French showdown kicks off at 18:45 CET, while the rest of the games begin at 21:00 CET.
The stakes are high, and with no second chances in this play-off format, the competition is set to deliver plenty of drama and surprises right from the start.
