UEFA Champions League 2024/2025

[Trollheart]

Knockout Play-offs Second Leg

Real Madrid  v Manchester City
(Spain v England)
Aggregate:  Real Madrid 3 - 2 Manchester City

City with a mountain to climb, and four minutes in that mountain was so much higher as Mbappe stole through a flat City defence to score, making it now 4-2 on aggregate. Shades of Liverpool when Dias slipped to leave the French international clear through on goal, an opportunity he did not waste. Just after the half-hour he was at it again, now 5-2 on aggregate. City had not yet had a single shot on goal, from what I could see. Nor really in the second, their only effort coming from a corner late on, which the Spanish keeper easily caught. The final dagger plunged into the chest just on the hour as Mbappe completed his hat-trick, not even a late late late goal in the final minute of extra time to prevent Real sending Manchester City to the airport, barely a sniff in the game. They got nothing, and they deserved nothing.

Result: Real Madrid 3 - 1 Manchester City
Aggregate score: Real Madrid 6 - 3 Manchester City
Outcome: Manchester City eliminated


Bayern Munich v Celtic
(Germany v Scotland)
Aggregate: Bayern Munich 2 - 1 Celtic

Celtic missed a golden opportunity to level the aggregate score early on, twice, as they put pressure on the German giants. Make that three times. Kane then had a great shot in the last minute of the first half but it bounced off the crossbar. Second half then and it was still advantage Germany as Celtic swept forward in search of the precious goal that would possibly take the match to extra time. They got it just after the hour, the game surely now theirs to win if they could. A chance to take it was wasted, but Celtic hung on until the very last minute of extra time when Bayern pulled off a smash-and-grab, leaving the Scots shell-shocked and heartbroken, and really an undeserved ending for them.

Result: Bayern Munich 1 - 1 Celtic
Aggregate score: Bayern Munich 3 - 2 Celtic
Outcome: Celtic eliminated

PSV Eindhoven v Juventus
(Netherlands v Italy)
Aggregate: PSV Eindhoven 1 - 2 Juventus

It took the eighth minute of the second half before PSV scored to level the aggregate, 2-2 now, then from a corner the Dutch team could have pulled ahead but it was cleared out, before Juventus equalised with a rocket just after the hour, to put themselves in the driving seat. But then VAR said, "Hmm. Let's take a closer look at that," then decided it wasn't offside, so advantage Italy, aggregate score now 3-2. Ten minutes later it was PSV on the scoresheet again, and the game swung in their favour as aggregate became 3-3, extra time looming? Well, very close to another goal for the Dutch, which would have won it for them on aggregate, but into extra time we went, all square and a place in the Round of 16 up for grabs. A corner near the end of the first period of extra time had PSV back in front, now aggregate 4-3 to the Dutch. Could they hold on? They could; Juventus came very close at the end of the second period but shot high, then PSV could have made it four on the night, but three did it, and PSV go through at Juventus's expense.

Result: PSV Eindhoven 3 - 1 Juventus
Aggregate score: PSV Eindhoven 4 - 3 Juventus
Outcome: Juventus eliminated

Benfica v Monaco
(Portugal v Monaco)
Aggregate: Benfica 1 - 0 Monaco

With Sporting out, Benfica are the only remaining Portuguese team in the Champions League, and they took the lead at home on 22 minutes, extending their aggregate to 2-0, until ten minutes later when Monaco bagged one to cut it back to 2-1. Six minutes into the restart and the visitors had levelled, 2-1 on the night, 2-2 on aggregate. All to play for now. A penalty for Benfica 16 minutes from time though shot Monaco down, turning the aggregate in their favour, now 3-2 to the Portuguese. Monaco were not finished though, and scored yet again nine minutes from the end, to make it 3-2 on the night and 3-3 on aggregate, and possibly force the tie to extended time. Three minutes after that, however, another goal for Benfica, now 3-3 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate, advantage the home side. No extra time for Monaco, despite a valiant fight.

Result: Benfica 3 - 3 Monaco
Aggregate score: Benfica 4 - 3 Monaco
Outcome: Monaco eliminated

[Trollheart]

AC Milan v Feyenoord
(Italy v Netherlands)
Aggregate: AC Milan 0 - 1 Feyenoord

With one of the Italian teams already out, could Milan overturn a 1-0 deficit against the other Dutch team? We only had to wait a minute for the answer, as Milan were immediately ahead, the aggregate now level at 1-1, Feyenoord's advantage wiped out in sixty seconds at the San Siro. They almost went ahead then, but Felix kicked it over the bar, and a second shot went off the post, but Milan certainly in control. They kept up the pressure in the second half, but a dive had one of their men sent off, the Iralians now having to play the remainder of the match with ten men, and it told. On 73 minutes Feyenoord retook the advantage, 1-1 on the night, 2-1 on aggregate. A free in the dying minutes might have given Milan hope, but straight into the arms of the keeper, and so it's the Dutch who go through.

Result: AC Milan 1 - 1 Feyenoord
Aggregate score: AC Milan 1 - 2 Feyenoord
Outcome: AC Milan eliminated

Atalanta v Club Brugge
(Italy v Belgium)
Aggregate: Atalanta 1 - 2 Club Brugge

Could it possibly be a hat-trick of Italian exits? Atlanta welcomed the only Belgian team in the league knowing they needed to score 2 without reply to make it through. One goal on the night would force extra time, assuming Club Brugge didn't score any more. Which they did, and only three minutes on the clock, the aggregate now 3-1 to the Belgians. Just before the half-hour it got worse for the Italians as Brugge scored their second, aggregate now 4-1. Atalanta had three attempts in the one attack to pull one back, but failed, while Brugge went down the other end and in the last moments of extra time scored their third of the night, to leave the result surely now in no doubt. Or was it? One minute into the restart Atalanta scored to cut the deficit to just the 2 goals on the night and 3 on aggregate, now 5-2 to Club Brugge. Still though a huge ask for the home side. Could they possibly do it? This is Italy, the home of Rome, the pope and miracles, but surely not?

Well, they got a penalty but that was saved, so perhaps the blessed Virgin Mary was not watching over the Italian team like they thought. A punch launched in the final minutes at a Club Brugge player reduced the home team to ten, but the game was well over by then, and Atalanta become, rather incredibly, the third Italian team to crash out of the Champions League.

Result: Atalanta 1 - 3 Club Brugge
Aggregate score: Atalanta 2 - 5 Club Brugge
Outcome: Atalanta eliminated

Paris Saint-Germain v Brest
(France v France)
Aggregate: Paris Saint-German 3 - 0 Brest

One way or another, a French team was going out of the Champions League tonight. PSG definitely had the advantage, a three-goal lead over debutantes Brest, so it looked likely to be the home side going through. Still, we all love an underdog, and while they may have been roared on by their fans, I can't but help think that there was an underlying feeling of grudging admiration that the first-time participants had come so far. This would, however, probably be the end of their journey. They did though have the first effort, but off the line to deny them the opening goal. PSG put a further shine on the aggregate on 20 minutes when they scored to make it 4-0, then widened that to 5 as they took their second of the night 20 minutes after that, surely no way back now for Brest.

The second half saw them just shave the post, but PSG were in full control now, scoring their third on the hour, 6-0 on aggregate, the home side well on course now to go through. A fourth on the night made it 7-0 on aggregate, and now it looked to be just a case of how many Brest would be beaten by. 5 on the night on 70 minutes, 8-0 on aggregate, then ten minutes later it was 6-0, making it 9-0 on aggregate. Even the one goal the visitors managed to pull back was ruled offside, no luck for the debutantes, who crash out with the biggest defeat of the play-offs as they go down 7-0 on the night and an embarrassing and emphatic 10-0 on aggregate.

Result: Paris Saint-Germain 7 - 0 Brest
Aggregate score: Paris Saint-Germain 10 - 0 Brest
Outcome: Brest eliminated

Borussia Dortmund v Sporting CP
(Germany v Portugal)
Aggregate: Borussia Dortmund 3 - 0 Sporting CP

One Portuguese team through to the Round of 16, if only just, but Sporting had a far harder task ahead of them as they tried to overturn a 3-0 lead in Germany. Dortmund had all the attacking play but no score, not that they needed to even net one goal; the aggregate would send them through as it was. They did get a penalty which was saved, another shot off the base of the post, so no score but Dortmund go through on the strength of their performance in Lisbon in the first leg.

Result: Borussia Dortmund 0 - 0 Sporting CP
Aggregate score: Borussia Dortmund 3 - 0 Sporting CP
Outcome: Sporting are eliminated

[Trollheart]

Eliminated
Manchester City
Atalanta
AC Milan
Juventus
Brest
Monaco
Celtic
Sporting CP

Through to the Round of 16
Real Madrid
Club Brugge
Feyenoord
Paris Saint-Germain
PSV Eindhoven
Bayern Munich
Benfica
Borussia Dortmund

[jimmy jazz]

The draw is tomorrow and we will get Brugges or Dortmund. Away leg to be played first for Villa.

Brugges will be easier over two legs but that side of the draw looks more difficult.

Dortmund is a fantastic club and I've always loved them, to see Villa play against them would be special but they could tear us apart.

Fuck it these games are why we wanted to be in this competition. Bring on die schwarzgelssen.

[Trollheart]

Time to pay the bar tab at the Last Chance Saloon

Many teams going into this second leg did so in the knowledge they were facing a mountain, others had the advantage and knew all they needed to do was keep that and if possible extend it. PSG were the epitome of the latter, going in with a 3-0 lead against Brest and extending it to a staggering 7-0, giving them an unbelievable 10-0 on aggregate, the easiest cruise, surely, any team has had into the next round. Dortmund were somewhat similar, maintaining their 3-0 lead but unable to add to it; nevertheless, it proved enough and so the team ahead from the first leg was the one to go through. Feyenoord, too, took their 1-0 advantage to Milan and not only kept it but came back from what must have been a shattering loss of a goal within sixty seconds to draw the match and go through on aggregate. Club Brugge were similar, going in with a 2-1 advantage and winning the game 3-1 in Bergamo to kick Atalanta out 5-2 on aggregate.

Others, of course, travelled to the second leg knowing they had little chance of success, and that their ticket home was as good as bought. Manchester City, already at a disadvantage from the first leg, having let a 2-0 lead slip to a 3-2 defeat, evaporated like mist in the morning sun as Real showed them how real (no pun intended) champions play. They never got near the ball, and went down a humiliating 6-3 on aggregate, the only English team to be sent home. Then there were PSV, who went to the San Siro one goal down and managed not only to turn it around but win on aggregate, knocking the Italian giants out 4-3 on aggregate.

So overall, with one exception (and almost another) those who had the advantage from the first leg retained or built on it, and are the team to go through. Let's have a quick scout at the countries left, and how many teams they got.

[Trollheart]

We'll do it alphabetically, because why not?

Belgium (1): One team, all they had anyway, Club Brugge are through having beaten Atalanta 5-2 on aggregate.

England (3): Three out of four teams are through automatically: Arsenal, Aston Villa and Liverpool.

France (2): The hopes of the French now rest squarely on the shoulders of Lille, who went through automatically and PSG, who demolished (and there is no other word) Brest 7-0 on the night and 10-0 on aggregate. Brest, after a tremendous first showing in the CL, are sent home on the end of a probably undeserved mauling, but that's Champions League football for you.

Germany (3): Bayer Leverkusen are already through, and they're now joined by Borussia Dortmund, and, some might say luckily and by the skin of their teeth, Bayern Munich.

Italy (1): Three Italian teams were knocked out tonight - Atlanta, AC Milan and Juventus - in what must surely send shockwaves around the nation. But Inter Milan are still there, the only hope now for Italians to have any team to cheer on in the Round of 16.

Netherlands (2): Of all the countries (other than Belgium), only the Dutch have managed to have all their teams get through. Sure, there were and are only two, but both have taken down serious Italian opposition to book their place. Feyenoord beat multiple winners AC Milan to make it through, while PSV Eindhoven saw off the mighty Juventus.

Portugal (1): With Sporting out, only Benfica keep Portuguese pride alive, and give Ronaldo something to cheer maybe. They were favourites against Monaco, going into the tie 1-0, and they kept that advantage, despite a strong fight back by the visitors, to progress to the Round of 16.

Spain (3): With Barcelona and Atletico Madrid already through, it was up to Real to beat Man City in order to join them, and talk about putting them to the sword! Already with a tough job, City went about the game as if it was a friendly, and deservedly lost 3-0 on the night, 6-3 on aggregate.

[jimmy jazz]

So it's Brugge, then PSG/Liverpool, then Real Madrid/Atlético/Arsenal/PSV

Now it gets juicy.

[Trollheart]

I didn't initially worry about Brugge - they only beat us by the penalty that we stupidly gave away - but how they came at Atalanta away, I don't know, might be tricky. Ollie and Marcus need to be on form if we're to get through.

Thanks for the post: I'll do a full analysis on it later.

[Trollheart]

Draw for the Round of 16

Now that all play-off matches have been decided and we have our 16 teams, let's have a look at who plays who, and who looks likely to get through their matches.

PSG v Liverpool: The French team failed to impress initially but have really come good in the knockout play-offs, but even so, Liverpool stand all but undefeated all through the league and are still my choice to win it. With the second leg taking place at Anfield, even if Liverpool stumble away they should be able to make a comeback at home. But I feel they'll stroll it for both legs.

Prediction: Liverpool to win both legs and go through to the quarter-finals.

Club Brugge v Aston Villa: We've faced the Belgian side already, and really should have beaten them or at least drawn, but our form has dipped recently, particularly at home, while Brugge will be coming in off the high of having beaten Atalanta 5-2 on aggregate away, so it could be a tricky one. Again, we have the opportunity to address any deficit with a home match in the second leg.

Prediction: Brugge to win the first leg, Villa to win at home and go through, perhaps on a slim margin.

Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid: An interesting match-up, two Spanish teams - indeed, two teams from the same city - facing off against each other. You'd expect Real to capitalise on their humbling of Man City by winning again at the Bernabeu, though they had to come in through the play-offs whereas Atletico got there automatically, qualifying in 5th place with 6 wins out of 8, so it shouldn't be a walkover.

Prediction: Real to win the first, perhaps also second leg but by a slim margin again, Real to go through.

PSV v Arsenal: Second highest of the English teams to qualify automatically, Arsenal have only lost the one game, and though PSV have shown their teeth recently, they have shipped 17 goals, before the play-offs, so I think they'll have a hard time against the Gunners, especially on the second leg at the Emirates.

Prediction: PSV to win the first leg, possible draw, Arsenal to win at home and go through.

[Trollheart]

Benfica v Barcelona: Good as Benfica are, I can't see them getting past the mighty Barca, currently sitting second, with 24 goals to their credit.

Prediction: Barcelona to win both legs and cruise through.

Borussia Dortmund v Lille: Having been beaten only once and with 6 victories under their belt, and having achieved automatic qualification, the remaining French team may be more of a handful for the Germans than they expect. Lille also have the advantage of playing the second leg at home.

Prediction: Dortmund to win the first leg, Lille to win at home, either could go through, but I'll go for the Germans.

Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen: The other tie featuring teams from the same country. Bayern have failed to do as well as they should expect to, having had to come through via the play-offs and almost being kicked out by Celtic, the only thing saving them a last-minute goal which turned the aggregate score in their favour. Leverkusen got there on their own merits, sixth in the table with 2 more goals than their German cousins.

Prediction: Bayern Munich to win the first leg, Bayer Leverkusen to win the second leg and go through.

Feyenoord v Inter Milan: The one remaining Italian side may have their hands full with the second remaining Dutch side. Inter got through automatically - the only Italian team to do so - but Feyenoord really impressed in the play-offs.

Prediction: Feyenoord to win the first leg, Milan to win the second and go through.

[Marie Monday]

so that's where the men's champions league is at? good to see that Arsenal get to kick out PSV, I hope they destroy them. I wouldn't predict a win for PSV either leg. Feyenoord can fuck off too obvs <3

[jimmy jazz]

so that's where the men's champions league is at? good to see that Arsenal get to kick out PSV, I hope they destroy them. I wouldn't predict a win for PSV either leg. Feyenoord can fuck off too obvs <3

Assuming Villa and Arsenal make it that far (meaning they meet in the semis) who are you going to back?

[Marie Monday]

Good question, for the women it would be arsenal without any doubt (but villa is certainly one of the teams I don't support that I'm most sympathetic towards) but for the men I'm very neutral about it. Maybe still arsenal but I really don't care either way
The only 'strong' feelings I have about men's football are
1. Ajax!!!!
2. Fuck Feyenoord, and PSV
3. Barca >>>> real Madrid and I always hope they kick their ass
4. Fuck man city (and man united and Chelsea too for that matter)

[jimmy jazz]

Good question, for the women it would be arsenal without any doubt (but villa is certainly one of the teams I don't support that I'm most sympathetic towards) but for the men I'm very neutral about it. Maybe still arsenal but I really don't care either way
The only 'strong' feelings I have about men's football are
1. Ajax!!!!
2. Fuck Feyenoord, and PSV
3. Barca >>>> real Madrid and I always hope they kick their ass
4. Fuck man city (and man united and Chelsea too for that matter)

  <3

[jimmy jazz]

Can't believe this PSG/Liverpool game.

The most one sided 1-0 loss I've ever seen. No exaggeration. Unbelievable game.