The group stage of the 2020/21 Champions League came to an end this week and now the focus will turn to the knockout stage of the European elite competition.
The Champions League has been full of goals and drama this season and it looks like it will continue as we move into the round of 16.
The draw for the knockout stages of the Champions League will take place at the end of this month
The greats Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Juventus have been classified as group winners, which means they will be seeded.
Manchester United, however, failed to pass and has been sentenced to the Europa League.
Other big names, including Lionel Messi’s Barcelona, finished as runners-up and we could see some big draws waiting for us in the next round.
The final will be held at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul on May 29, 2021.
The knockout stages get underway in the new year, with the draw held later this month.
Here is everything you need to know about it …
Champions League draw: date and time The final 16 draw ceremony will take place on Monday, December 14. Starts at 11am UK time. There will be no seeds or national protection, so the remaining teams can face anyone. The first leg matches will be played on February 16, 17, 23 and 24, while the return matches will be played on March 9, 10, 16 and 17. TalkSPORT brings you full coverage of the draw and the last 16 of the Champions League draw action – TV channel and live stream UEFA will provide a free live stream of the draw on its official website. It will also air on BT Sport with its coverage starting at 11 am talkSPORT. Gives you full coverage of the giveaway and the last 16 actions, listen here. We will also blog live the draw and top games on talkSPORT.com
Getty Images – Getty
Liverpool still strong in this season’s Champions League draw: teams involved
Seeded as group winner
Bayern Múnich Manchester City Liverpool Chelsea Borussia Dortmund Juventus Manchester City Paris Saint-Germain
Not classified as group runner-up
Atalanta Atlético Madrid Barcelona Lazio RB Leipzig Borussia Mönchengladbach Porto Sevilla Champions League: Who can play against whom?
The group winners will face a runner-up from any of the other seven groups that they were not in.
Therefore, Liverpool can face any of the non-seeded teams, Barecelona among them, but not Atalanta, as they were in the same group.
Manchester City can play for any of the non-seeded teams, apart from Porto, while Chelsea will play for any of the non-seeded teams, apart from Sevilla.
As seeds, the Premier League trio will play the first leg away and the second at home.
Champions League: What are the key dates? Quarterfinals: tie on March 19 – ties will be played on April 6/7 and April 13/14 Semifinals: draw on March 19 – ties will be played on April 27/28 and 4/5 May Final: May 29 at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul
–
