Champions League
Lots and starting places: This is how things continue in the premier class
The premier class will be expanded from 32 to 36 teams. photo
© Nick Potts/Press Association/dpa
Part one of the second leg of the round of 16 in the Champions League is over. German duels will soon be possible – and an additional place for the coming season.
Bayern are there, as is superstar Kylian Mbappé – defending champions and top favorites Manchester City with Pep Guardiola are also involved. In the Half of the round of 16 second legs of the Champions League have been completed.
An overview of the coming weeks and months in the premier class.
When and how will the round of 16 continue?
After FC Bayern and Paris Saint-Germain had already bought their tickets for the quarter-finals on Tuesday, Man City and Real Madrid followed suit on Wednesday evening. Next week (March 12th and 13th) the starting position is more exciting: On Tuesday, Arsenal have to make up a 0-1 deficit in the home game against FC Porto. At the same time, FC Barcelona hosts SSC Napoli after a 1-1 draw in the first leg. Borussia Dortmund plays against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday. After the 1-1 draw in the Netherlands, any win would be enough for BVB to advance. Inter Milan visit Atlético Madrid after their 1-0 first leg win.
When will the draw take place?
On Friday (March 15, 12:00 p.m.) at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon. Then not only the quarter-final pairings will be drawn, but also the semi-finals and the home-away constellation for the final on June 1st at London’s Wembley Stadium. FC Bayern and its outgoing coach Thomas Tuchel will then know the possible path to the longed-for premier class triumph.
Are German duels possible then?
Yes. There are no longer any restrictions for the draw for the quarter-final duels. Bayern against Dortmund is a possible constellation, provided BVB survives their round of 16. Meetings with opponents from the group phase are then also possible. In the past three seasons since the 2020 title, Bayern have been eliminated in the quarter-finals: in 2021 against Paris, then against outsiders Villarreal, and last year against eventual winners Man City.
How many starting places does Germany have in 2024/25?
That is still open. The premier class will be expanded from 32 to 36 teams. Two of the four additional starting places will be awarded to the two strongest nations in the European Cup this season. Italy is currently ahead of Germany in the ranking, followed by England, France and Spain. Dortmund’s progress would be important for the Bundesliga, as would SC Freiburg’s performance in the Europa League in a duel with Premier League representatives West Ham United. If Freiburg wins the Europa League title, a sixth premier class place would even be possible for Germany.
What do the outcomes mean for the Club World Cup?
FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund will take part in the tournament from June 15 to July 13, 2025 in the USA. That is clear after RB Leipzig’s 1-1 draw and elimination at Real Madrid on Wednesday evening. UEFA has twelve places available, three of which are still open. One of them goes to the winner of this year’s premier class. A maximum of two clubs are allowed to participate per country.