The play-off round, effectively the last 32, of the 2024/25 Champions League season has now been completed. The eight teams that topped the league phase have been waiting patiently to see which teams they will face, and with all the play-off ties having played their second legs, we now know which teams are in the pot. In this article, we’ll focus on the first four play-off games, those who second legs were played on Tuesday.
The draw, the last of this year’s competition due to the bracket system being used, for the last 16, will take place on the 21st of February. This draw will decide which of the teams who made the top eight face each of the eight sides that came through the play-offs.
If all that seems a little confusing, allow us to return to simple games of football, and the first four of the play-off ties that have been concluded.
- Club Brugge v Atalanta
- Feyenoord v Milan
- Celtic v Bayern Munich
- Monaco v Benfica
Atalanta finished ninth, so were favourites to beat their Belgian opponents who were the weakest side in the round, having finished 24th in the league phase. Milan, seven times the champions of Europe, finished 13th after the eight league phase matches, whilst Feyenoord were two points worse off in 19th. Bayern were, of course, huge favourites to beat Celtic, whilst Monaco versus Benfica was, on paper, the tightest-looking tie.
That pair both garnered 13 points during the league stage of the competition. Moreover, they played each other at that stage, the game resulting in a 3-2 win for the Portuguese side, the game having been played in France (well, Monaco!). Benfica scored two late goals to nick the win though and so another close clash was predicted.
First Legs Leave All Results Possible
Before a ball was kicked in the two-legged play-offs, Bayern and Atalanta were big favourites, Milan were very well fancied, and most would have sided with Benfica in a clash that could have gone either way. The first legs were probably tighter than many expected and opened up the possibility of surprises in the return. The full first-leg results can be seen below:
Champions League Playoff Results – Wed 12th Feb
| Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|
| Club Brugge | 2-1 | Atalanta |
| Feyenoord | 1-0 | AC Milan |
| Celtic | 1-2 | Bayern Munich |
| Monaco | 0-1 | Benfica |
Club Brugge and Feyenoord managed excellent results, both winning to give themselves a real chance in the second legs, which were both away. However, on Italian soil, both Atalanta and Milan would have fancied their chances of turning things around. Celtic kept themselves in the tie thanks to a 79th-minute goal at Celtic Park but knew they had a mountain to climb in Germany, whilst Benfica would have felt another away win in Monaco illustrated they would prove too strong on home soil.
Battling Celtic Cruelly Denied
Celtic have no right to push a giant like Bayern close and that is why even a narrow home defeat in the first clash was hardly a terrible result. They were still in the tie, and over one match, 90 minutes, anything can happen in football. However, the fact that Harry Kane is said to earn around £400,000 per week in Germany, whilst Celtic’s best-paid player earns closer to £50,000, illustrates the disparity in resources between the two clubs.
But the Bhoys are a classy side under Brendan Rodgers’ guidance and they managed to stay in the tie for an hour of the return. The game was 0-0 with over 60 minutes played and whilst the hosts were on top, they had created relatively little. Their first-half xG was just 0.68, with Celtic’s figure standing at 0.45, so they certainly weren’t being outclassed but most watching on probably expected Bayern to go on and win the game.
However, after 63 minutes, against the run of play, Celtic took the lead. Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn, who had played for Bayern’s reserves, took advantage of some sloppy defending to make the tie 1-1 on aggregate. The travelling fans went wild and surely dared to dream of extra time at the very least.
The clock ticked on and it seemed more and more likely that the Bhoys would earn the win on the night but then just when the result was within touching distance, Bayern ruined the party.
In the 94th minute, and with almost the last kick of the tie, Alphonso Davies bundled home an equaliser after a header from Leon Goretzka was saved. It was a cruel, cruel blow, but Rodgers can be proud of his team, despite their 2-1 aggregate defeat.
But Brugge and Feyenoord do Upset the Elite
It was a case of so near and yet so far for Celtic but elsewhere in Europe the minnows were socking it to the big fish with greater effect. Atalanta are not true heavyweights but having come so close to making the top eight, and having won the Europa League last term, they were fully expected to overcome Club Brugge.
The Belgians, second in their domestic top flight, nicked the win in the first leg thanks to a stoppage-time goal. In the return leg they did all their work early though, bursting into a 3-0 lead at the break to stun the home fans. Ademola Lookman got one back but then missed a penalty, with the away side going through 5-2 on aggregate.
As for Feyenoord, they must have feared the worst at the San Siro when Santiago Gimenez scored in the opening minute for Milan. That made things all square on aggregate but they hung in there, absorbing the pressure, and when Milan were reduced to 10 men after 51 minutes, Feyenoord knew they had a fighting chance.
Julian Carranza equalised after 73 minutes but Milan, belying their numerical disadvantage, continued to press. However Feyenoord stood firm and despite a heated ending to the game, they clung on to make the last 16.
Thriller in Lisbon Sees Hosts Progress
Benfica made it through after a six-goal thriller ended 3-3 against Monaco, giving them a 4-3 win on aggregate. They went 2-0 up in the tie when they scored first after 22 minutes and at that stage they must have thought they were home and hosed. However, both sides were creating chances and Monaco, who had the lion’s share of possession, equalised after 32 minutes.
Early in the second half Monaco levelled the tie, Moroccan Eliesse Ben Seghir scoring. After 76 minutes the hosts replied, before a dramatic finish saw Monaco go 3-2 up just five minutes later. Three minutes after that the home side responded again, and Orkun Kökçü’s goal was enough to earn the draw on the night.
Last 16 Beckons
The draw will take place on the 21st, as said, with the four teams awaiting their fate:
| Club | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Club Brugge | Aston Villa or Lille |
| Feyenoord | Inter Milan or Arsenal |
| Bayern Munich | Bayer Leverkusen or Atletico Madrid |
| Benfica | Barcelona or Liverpool |