Here is everything that you need to know about Champions League knockout stage matches.
The dust has not yet settled after Manchester City were stunned by record Champion League winners Real Madrid on Tuesday although they still have the return leg in Madrid to play.
Playing in front of a packed Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola’s charges’ lack of belief and an ageing team was ruthlessly exposed by a young and vibrant Madrid side, who emerged 3-2 winners despite going 1-0 down at halftime.
As action continues on Wednesday, Pulse Sports takes a look at what to expect with key matches lined up.
3 things to look forward to in Champions League Knockout stage
1. Celtic vs Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich are now eight points clear at the top of the table.
Bayern Munich players celebrate in a past match. Image. Imago
Celtic host Bayern Munich in their first Champions League knockout game for over a decade. The last time the Scottish giants made it past Christmas in Europe’s top club competition was back in 2012/13.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Athletics News in Kenya from Pulse Sports.
In fact, Celtic have never actually won a knockout game in the Champions League with their previous win in a two-legged tie coming in 1988/89, in the old European Cup days. It’s a huge occasion for everyone at Parkhead and one that Celtic will fancy themselves in.
Impressive victories against Slovan Bratislava, Young Boys and RB Leipzig have all come at home this term with that infamous Paradise crowd giving Brendan Rodgers’ side the edge. With news on Monday that star forward Daizen Maeda had his suspension for this game successfully appealed, the Hoops will be extra buoyant as they host a Bayern outfit who have been nothing but middling in this competition so far.
2. Club Brugge vs Atalanta
)
Atalanta returned to winning ways at Como.
Atalanta players celebrate in a past match. Photo. Imago.
Atalanta just missed out on safe passage through to the last 16 a few weeks ago, failing to claim a top eight place by a single point. Their 2-2 draw at Barcelona saw Aston Villa claim the final automatic place, meaning the Italian side now have to make it past Club Brugge in the play-off round.
That will be easier said than done with the Belgian outfit impressing – especially at home – in the league phase.
But if there’s one team you can count on for goals, entertainment and a place in the last 16 from the play-offs it’s this Atalanta vintage. Gianpiero Gasperini’s side have been nothing short of superb both domestically and in Europe so far this season, putting five goals past both Sturm Graz and Verona in the space of three weeks.
And in striker Mateo Retegui, La Dea have a forward in the form of his life right now.
3. Feyenoord vs AC Milan
)
Samuel Chukwueze celebrates scoring for AC Milan against Parma on January 26, 2025 (Credit: Imago)
It’s fair to say that both Feyenoord and Milan come into Wednesday’s encounter in crisis mode. The Italian side are heading to the Netherlands with up to eight first-teamers out through injury.
Feyenoord, meanwhile, sacked their head coach, Brian Priske, on Monday despite beating Sparta Rotterdam in the derby on Saturday.
The man who replaced Arne Slot over the summer has struggled to get the Stadion club up to pace with Ajax and PSV Eindhoven domestically. In Europe though, it’s been a slightly different story with the Eredivisie outfit pulling off one of the big shocks in this season’s competition.
Drama will be expected but will Bayern Munich, AC Milan or Atalanta afford to miss out on Europe’s premier competition?
