Defending champions Real Madrid will take on 2023 winners Manchester City in a high-profile clash in the play-off round of this season's Champions League, following Friday's draw.
This marks the fourth consecutive year that the two teams will meet in a knockout tie, with Real Madrid edging past City in a penalty shootout during last season’s quarter-finals.
City, who narrowly advanced after finishing 22nd in the league phase under the competition’s new format, will host the first leg before traveling to Spain for the return fixture.
Elsewhere, Celtic will take on six-time European champions Bayern Munich after the Scottish champions secured their first knockout stage appearance in 12 years.
In an all-French encounter, Paris Saint-Germain will face surprise contenders Brest, while Juventus clash with PSV Eindhoven, and Feyenoord meet AC Milan in two matchups featuring former Champions League winners.
Europa League holders Atalanta, who narrowly missed out on an automatic last-16 spot by finishing just outside the top eight, will face Belgium’s Club Brugge in the play-off round.
Portugal's Sporting have been drawn against last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund, while Monaco will meet Benfica, having previously lost to the Portuguese side in the league phase.
The play-off ties will be held next month, with the winners advancing to the last 16, where they will join the top eight teams from the league phase—Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, and Aston Villa.
The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
Read MoreThe TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide.
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