Champions League playoffs confirmed
The road to Budapest is beginning to take shape. This Friday, the draw was held for the play-off pairings and, although Barça already knew their four possible opponents for the round of 16, we now know how those sides have been matched against each other. As a result, Hansi Flick’s side will face the winner of one of two ties: Monaco vs PSG or Qarabag vs Newcastle, depending on how the bracket is configured. This will not be known until 27 February, when the draw that determines the final bracket takes place.
At that point, Barça will learn not only their opponent in the round of 16, but also which teams they could potentially face in the quarter-finals and semi-finals. So, it will also determine which teams they could NOT meet until a potential final, where anything can happen.
The play-offs are happening over two legs: the first on 17 and 18 February, with the return legs on 24 and 25 February. The round of 16 will be played in March: first legs on 10 and 11 March and second legs on 17 and 18 March.
Other dates
There will be no further draws, as the bracket will be fully defined. From then on, it will be all about football.
The quarter-finals will be played in April (first legs on 7/8 April and second legs on 14/15 April). The semi-finals will take place between April and May (first legs on 28/29 April and second legs on 5/6 May). The final will be played on 30 May in Budapest.
