The UEFA Champions League knockout stage is officially underway, bringing forth the elite of European football as 16 teams vie for the prestigious title. Kicking off on March 4, 2025, the round of 16 features high-stakes matchups, including the highly anticipated clash between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, as well as Arsenal facing off against PSV Eindhoven and Borussia Dortmund taking on LOSC Lille. This round also marks the departure of some heavyweights, with Manchester City, AC Milan, and Juventus eliminated from the tournament.
This year's Champions League has seen intriguing narratives develop, with teams like Liverpool and Barcelona returning to the fray after earning byes from the league phase. The desire to compete for the coveted trophy is palpable, and anticipation builds as teams prepare for their round of 16 fixtures.
Here’s the breakdown of the matches scheduled for the first legs:
- Tuesday, March 4:
- Club Brugge vs. Aston Villa at 12:45 p.m. ET / 5:45 p.m. GMT
- Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid at 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
- PSV Eindhoven vs. Arsenal at 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
- Borussia Dortmund vs. LOSC Lille at 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
The first match kicks off with Club Brugge taking on Aston Villa, who surprised many by reaching this stage. This matchup sets the tone for the evening matchups between seasoned clubs with rich histories. Real Madrid, the defending champions, lead the charge against their local rivals Atletico Madrid. Fans of both clubs are buzzing with excitement as the intensity of this derby promises to deliver thrilling drama on the pitch.
Another important aspect of the round is player fitness and strategy. With yellow card accumulation rules remaining intact until after the quarterfinals, players like those from Real Madrid must tread carefully. If they accumulate five yellow cards, they risk missing out on potentially pivotal matches later on. The stakes couldn't be higher as every tackle and decision counts.
For fans wondering how to catch all the action, those tuning in the United States can watch the Champions League matches exclusively on Paramount+. Meanwhile, viewers in the UK can enjoy the clash on Amazon Prime Video. To access these games, individuals need active subscriptions to their respective services.
Continuing with the matchups, the following teams are also squaring off with hopes to advance:
- Wednesday, March 5:
- Feyenoord vs. Inter Milan at 12:45 p.m. ET / 5:45 p.m. GMT
- Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen at 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
- Benfica vs. Barcelona at 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
- PSG vs. Liverpool at 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
The second legs of the round will follow on March 11 and 12, where the winning teams will take one step closer to the ultimate prize – the Champions League trophy, set to be contested on May 31, 2025, at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. While teams are gearing up for battle, many fans are left reminiscing the excitement from the prior round where dominant teams met their end.
With hopes rising and hearts pounding, football enthusiasts look forward to another thrilling chapter of this campaign. Don't miss any of the action as the Champions League continues to capture the spirit of competition and sportsmanship across Europe.