In a dramatic turn of events, Manchester City and Celtic discovered their fates during the UEFA Champions League draw.
Consequently, the play-off draw held on January 31, 2025, revealed the matches that will determine their progress.
Both teams failed to secure automatic qualification for the round of 16, setting the stage for thrilling encounters as the competition intensifies.
Manchester City, managed by Pep Guardiola, will face reigning champions Real Madrid in a highly anticipated match.
City narrowly avoided elimination from the group stage, achieving a crucial 3-1 victory over Club Brugge.
This comeback win allowed them to finish 22nd in the standings, just enough to keep their hopes alive.
Conversely, Real Madrid finished 11th in their group, missing automatic qualification by a slim margin of one point.
Guardiola, reflecting on the upcoming clash, honored the Spanish giants, calling them the “first kings” of the competition.
He acknowledged the formidable challenge ahead, especially with star players like Kylian Mbappe leading the charge for Madrid.
“If we have to play tomorrow, it will be difficult, but in two weeks, who knows?”
Guardiola stated, emphasizing the unpredictability of the match. He expressed confidence in his squad’s abilities, asserting, “We will try.
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I’m sure we can create problems.
These players have something special, and we will aim to prove it.”
Meanwhile, Celtic’s journey continues as they prepare to face Bundesliga powerhouses Bayern Munich.
The Scottish side finished 21st in the standings, earning a challenging encounter against a team with a similar league phase record to Real Madrid.
The draw also produced several intriguing matchups. In an all-Italian clash, Juventus will take on PSV Eindhoven, while AC Milan faces Feyenoord in another exciting tie.
Additionally, AS Monaco will meet Benfica, and Sporting Lisbon will go head-to-head with Borussia Dortmund.
Furthermore, the play-off stage features an all-French encounter between Paris Saint-Germain and the season’s surprise package, Brest.
These matchups promise to deliver high-stakes action as teams vie for advancement.
As both Manchester City and Celtic prepare for their respective challenges, fans eagerly anticipate what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable round of matches in the UEFA Champions League.
