The draw for the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League’s round of 16, quarterfinals, and semi-finals is scheduled on Friday, February 21, 2025, at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland. The top eight teams from the league phase have automatically qualified for the round of 16, and they will be joined by the eight winners from the newly introduced two-legged knockout phase play-offs. Inter stands out as the only team from Serie A to qualify for the Round of 16.
As the tournament progresses from the knockout phase play-offs, the matchups will follow a bracket system, with potential opponents for the round of 16, quarterfinals, and semi-finals predetermined based on the teams’ final league standings. The teams that secured first and second place in the league phase will compete against the winners of the knockout phase play-offs involving the teams that finished 15th to 18th. Meanwhile, those finishing third or fourth will face the winners from the play-offs involving the 13th, 14th, 19th, and 20th-placed teams, and so forth.
👉 Which teams will be part of the Champions League round of 16 draw?
The eight teams that emerged victorious from the two-legged knockout phase play-offs will join the top eight teams from the league phase. The top eight from the league phase will be seeded in the draw and are expected to play their return matches at home.
✅ League phase top eight (seeded, ordered by league phase position)
1. Liverpool (ENG)
2. Barcelona (ESP)
3. Arsenal (ENG) 4. Inter (ITA)
5. Atleti (ESP)
6. Leverkusen (GER)
7. Lille (FRA)
8. Aston Villa (ENG)
✅ Knockout phase play-off winners (unseeded, ordered by league phase position)
10. B. Dortmund (GER)
11. Real Madrid (ESP)
12. Bayern München (GER)
14. PSV (NED)
15. Paris (FRA)
16. Benfica (POR)
19. Feyenoord (NED)
24. Club Brugge (BEL)
12 – #Inter are the second Italian team that have reached the round of 16 in the #UEFAChampionsLeague most often: 12 times, only less than Juventus (13) and one time more than AC Milan (11). Overtaking. pic.twitter.com/UaqCuxwvYL
✅ Greetings, my friends! I present to you the latest front pages from the Italian newspapers La Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, and Tutto Sport, dated Thursday 20 February 2025.
Front Page La Gazzetta dello Sport, Thursday 20 February 2025
👉Hernandez Milan drops Theo He will not have a renewal Without 4th place also Conceição leaves
👉Lookman Atalanta tension “Gasp you hurt me” The coach had attacked him after the penalty
👉Juve also out, only Inter in the eighth-finals Euro disaster
Bitter Champions League play-offs
PSV overturns Bianconeri (3-1)
Extra time was decisive
Motta: “Going out hurts.”
👉Tomorrow’s draw: Inter with PSV or Feyenoord
👉Europa League at the Olimpico (18:45) Roma, Dybala’s magic is needed to beat Porto
Photo: x.com/ItalianSerieA
Front Page Corriere dello Sport, Thursday 20 February 2025
👉PSV send Motta home: 3-1 in extra time, Italy sinks Waterloo
Juve knocked out. Only Inter remains in the Champions League
Another nightmare night. Perisic opens in the second half. Weah equalizer. Flamingo scores at the 98th minute. Vlahovic hits the post. Round of 16 draw tomorrow: Inzaghi to meet Feyenoord or the club from Eindhoven.
👉Remains at Milan, for now Ibra: trust to Conceição
The farewell to Europe burns: the coach towards farewell at the end of the season
👉Breakage with Gasperini Lookman, there is Giuntoli
Chaos at Atalanta
Ademola furious with the coach
Juve appears
👉Real, lesson to City: 3-1 Mbappé humiliates PSG
👉Euro League, Porto at 18:45: the round of 16 on stake Roma emotion: it’s worth everything
A hot Olimpico
Dybala and Dovbyk start from 1-1
Angeliño returns
Ranieri: “I trust this group”
Photo: twitter.com/ItalianSerieA
Front Page Tutto Sport, Thursday 20 February 2025
👉First objective missed. Now he can’t make mistakes anymore Motta, what a blow!
Bad Juve, the coach uses the changes badly and PSV (3-1) passes in extra time with Di Gregorio avoiding a trashing.
Locatelli: “Call of the game to them. They wanted it more than us.”
But Thiago: “I would do everything again.” In the round of 16 only Inter remain.
👉For Osimhen and Manolas False accounting Trial request for De Laurentiis
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office must now decide whether to reopen the file
👉Atalanta storm Lookman anger against Gasperini “Disrespectful”
The coach had attacked him for the failed penalty. Today the confrontation
👉Expelled with Feyenoord Theo to his teammates “I apologize” But it will not be enough
The club is waiting for offers.
Ibra striglia all in Milanello
👉Europa League 18:45 Roma with Porto for the round of 16 and for Italy
Dybala wants to enhance the Olimpico
Winning also serves for the ranking
👉Cairo and a stadium without mortgages “Toro, these are scenarios of sale”
Professor Bertoldi: “The turning point of the mayor is a key passage; the club would become more attractive. The value can go up to 230 million
Photo: x.com/ItalianSerieA
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It’s a tough moment for Italian football as Juventus faced a disappointing defeat in the UEFA Champions League Knockout Round. On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, they lost to PSV Eindhoven at the PSV Stadion in the Netherlands. Following the exits of Milan and Atalanta, Juventus also fell short just before the eighth-finals. Their European campaign ended prematurely, with a 3-1 loss in extra time against PSV in the second leg of the play-off round, marking their exit from the Champions League.
The home team took an early lead with a goal from Perisic, but Weah managed to equalize. Saibari then pushed the match into extra time. Ultimately, it was Flamingo’s goal during a scramble that sealed Juventus’ fate.
After a 2-1 victory in the first leg in Turin, the Bianconeri were unable to hold off the Dutch side during the regulation time, leading to a heartbreaking defeat in extra time. Ryan Flamingo’s crucial goal dashed Juventus’ hopes of advancing further in the tournament.
⚪️⚫️ ========================================== Buy Juventus FC Tickets ==========================================
📺 Click the video to watch PSV Eindhoven 3 – 1 Juventus highlights on Wednesday 18 February 2025
The PSV Stadium is ready for PSV Eindhoven vs Juventus
⚪️⚫️ Juventus official starting lineup against PSV Eindhoven
Credit via x.com/juventusfcen
2024 – 2025 UEFA Champions League
Knockout Playoff Second Leg
Result PSV Eindhoven 3 – 1 Juventus
Wednesday 19 February 2025
PSV Stadion
Eindhoven, Netherlands
21:00
Referee: Daniel Siebert GER
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Seidel GER
Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Foltyn GER
Fourth Official: Daniel Schlager GER
VAR: Christian Dingert GER
AVAR: Sören Storks GER
Referee Observer: Manuel Díaz Vega ESP
65% Ball Possession ATALANTA and 35% Ball Possession BRUGGE Atalanta 1 – 3 Club Brugge
46′ Ademola Lookman 3′ Chemsdine Talbi
❌ 61′ Ademola Lookman 27′ Chemsdine Talbi
. 45+3′ Ferran Jutglà Buy UEFA Champions League Tickets
Atalanta lost against Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League Knockout Playoff’s second leg on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy. Having lost the first leg 1-2, the Orobici failed to turn things around. Atalanta’s European journey comes to an early end, just like AC Milan’s. It’s a significant letdown for the team.
Brugge leads the first half with a commanding 3-0 score. The second half kicks off with a spark of hope as Ademola Lookman, a new addition, scores quickly. Unfortunately, Lookman later misses a penalty that could have turned the tide. Following that, Atalanta struggles with confidence and composure, highlighted by Toloi’s red card for a reckless reaction to De Cuyper. And just like that, Atalanta is out of the Champions League.
⚫️🔵
What a rough beginning! Just three minutes in, Club Brugge has taken the lead. Chemsdine Talbi found the back of the net with a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner, thanks to an assist from Ferran Jutglà. Vaneken played a vertical pass to Jutgla, who then set up Talbi at the edge of the box, allowing him to skillfully get past Carnesecchi!
It’s chaos for Atalanta! Brugge nets another goal in the 27th minute. Chemsdine Talbi finds the net for @ClubBrugge_en with a right-footed shot aimed at the upper center following a swift break. Jashari delivered a great pass to Tzolis, and while Carnesecchi made an impressive save, he was unable to stop Talbi’s tap-in. The situation is getting tough for the Goddess. Aggregate score: 1-4.
This is turning into a nightmare! Atalanta is in trouble! Brugge scored yet again in the 45+3 minute, with Ferran Jutglà finding the back of the net with a left-footed shot to the bottom left corner, assisted by Christos Tzolis. Following a double post from the Goddess, Brugge launched a fierce counterattack, and Jutglà struck once more with a brilliant rebound shot from the edge of the area, beating Carnesecchi again!
Atalanta closed the gap just after halftime in the 46th minute. Ademola Lookman found the net with a right-footed shot aimed at the center. Davide Zappacosta provided the assist, making an instant impression as he directed Zappacosta’s low cross past Mignolet!
⚫🔵 Atalanta 1 – 3 Club Brugge, 46th minute, ⚽️ goal by Ademola Lookman for @Atalanta_BC with a right footed shot to the center. The assist is by Davide Zappacosta.
Aggregate: 2-5 https://t.co/Erhv8oYJjg
Atalanta is having a rough day, that’s for sure. In the 61st minute, Ademola Lookman had a chance to score from the penalty spot but couldn’t find the net. Brugge’s keeper Mignolet anticipated the shot and made a fantastic save! Ouch!
⚫🔵 Atalanta 1 – 3 Club Brugges, 61stminute, ❌ Ademola Lookman failed to convert a penalty for @Atalanta_BC his right footed shot saved in the center. The penalty was conceded by Christos Tzolis.
Aggregate: 2-5 https://t.co/Tv6d6PRThP
Atalanta has successfully advanced in their first two knockout rounds after losing the first leg in significant European tournaments. This occurred during the 1987/88 European Cup Winners’ Cup against Merthyr Tydfil in the first round and OFI in the round of 16. However, they have faced elimination in their last three knockout ties after dropping the first leg.
Club Brugge managed to defeat Atalanta in the first leg with a score of 2-1. Interestingly, the Belgians have been eliminated 16 times after winning their first knockout match in major European competitions. It is the highest number for any team in history.
The last time Club Brugge secured an away victory against an Italian team in European competition was in October 2003, when they won 1-0 against Milan in the Champions League. Since then, they have struggled, failing to win any of their last seven away matches against Italian sides in Europe (with 2 draws and 5 losses), including a 3-1 defeat to Milan this season.
Atalanta recently triumphed in their last home Champions League match, defeating Sturm Graz 5-0. This victory came after a tough stretch where they had not won any of their previous five home games (with 3 draws and 2 losses). They now have the chance to secure back-to-back wins at the Gewiss Stadium for the first time in this competition. They previously played at the Meazza in the 2019/20 season, where they beat both Dinamo Zagreb and Valencia.
2024 – 2025 UEFA Champions League
Knockout Playoff Second Leg
Result Atalanta 1 – 3 Club Brugge
Tuesday 18 February 2025
Gewiss Stadium
Bergamo, Italy
21:00
Referee: Felix Zwayer GER
Assistant Referee 1: Robert Kempter GER
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Dietz GER
Fourth Official: Florian Badstübner GER
VAR: Bastian Dankert GER
AVAR: Alen Borošak SVN
Referee Observer: Dejan Filipović SRB
⚽️ Goals:
🟥 Red Card: 87′ Rafael Tolói (A)
🟨 Booked:
✅ Official Lineups – Formations – Tabellino:
⚫️🔵 Lineup ATALANTA (3-4-1-2): Carnesecchi; Toloi, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Cuadrado, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; Pasalic; De Ketelaere, Retegui.
🏆👉 It’s a bitter home defeat for AC Milan, marking their exit from the Champions League. Milan got a draw on Tuesday 18 February 2025 in San Siro Stadium, Milan, Italy. The team has been eliminated from the playoffs following a 2-1 loss on aggregate to Feyenoord, who will now compete against either Inter or Arsenal in the round of 16. With their first major goal of the season gone, the Rossoneri, after winning the Italian Super Cup, will now set their sights on a deep run in the Italian Cup and working their way up the league table.
🔴⚫️ Wow, what a start! AC Milan took the lead right from the first minute! Santiago Giménez, hailing from Mexico, netted a close header after a corner that was conceded by Dávid Hancko. The assist came from Malick Thiaw. Pulisic executed a short corner, sending a cross to Thiaw at the far post, who then delivered a brilliant aerial pass for Giménez to tap in. The score is now even!
👉🔴⚫️AC Milan 1 – 0 Feyenoord, 1st minute ⚽️ goal by Santiago Giménez for @acmilan from very close range with a headed shot following a corner conceded by Dávid Hancko. The assist is by Assisted by Malick Thiaw.@Santgimenez_#MilanFeyenoordhttps://t.co/dBxmQxCW3c
2 – #SantiagoGiménez is the 2nd player in history to have scored both for and against the same team in the same edition of one of the major European competitions, after Conny Torstensson (for and against Bayern Munich in the European Cup 1973-74 ). Plot-twist.#MilanFeyenoordpic.twitter.com/7kcbGqMNya
Chaos for Milan! Referee Szymon Marciniak shows a red card to Theo Hernández in the 51st minute, following his second yellow card for diving. Milan remains with 10 players.
Feyenoord leveled the score in the 73rd minute, making it 1-1. Julián Carranza found the net with a close-range header directed to the upper center of the goal, thanks to an assist from Hugo Bueno. The aggregate score stands at Milan 1 – 2 Feyenoord. The Dutch team continued their impressive play, with Bueno delivering a fantastic cross to the far post, where Carranza was able to head the ball in without any defenders in his way, outsmarting Maignan. Feyenoord now leads by one goal in the two-legged tie.
👉🔴⚫️AC Milan 1 – 1 Feyenoord, 73rd minute ⚽️ goal by Julián Carranza equalized for @Feyenoord from very close range with a headed shot to the high center. The assist is by Hugo Bueno. Aggregate: Milan 1 – 2 Feyenoord https://t.co/lzglOmIvkupic.twitter.com/Oos5Md1syA
Milan has faced Feyenoord three times in the European Cup/Champions League. They have suffered defeats in two of those matches, both of which were played away from home. The Rossoneri’s sole victory came during their only home match, a narrow 1-0 win back in November 1969 during the first leg of the round of 16.
Feyenoord, on the other hand, has struggled in away matches against Italian teams in the European Cup/Champions League, losing five out of six encounters. Their only success came in February 2000 when they defeated Lazio 2-1. Notably, the only knockout stage match they played against an Italian club was a 0-1 loss to Milan in the 1969-70 season.
When it comes to Champions League double-headers, Milan has been eliminated five times out of six after losing the first leg. The lone exception was during the 2006-07 semi-finals against Manchester United. Milan lost the first leg 2-3 but bounced back to win 3-0 in the return leg.
2024 – 2025 UEFA Champions League
Knockout Playoff Second Leg
Result 🔴⚫️ AC Milan 1 – 1 Feyenoord
Tuesday 18 February 2025
San Siro Stadium
Milan, Italy
18:45
Referee: Szymon Marciniak POL
Assistant Referee 1: Tomasz Listkiewicz POL
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Kupsik POL
Fourth Official: Wojciech Myc POL
VAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
AVAR: Christian Dingert GER
Referee Observer: Alexandru Deaconu ROU