The UCL Draw for the 2024/25 season’s Round of 16 has been revealed, and it’s shaping up to be a thrilling knockout stage. Barcelona is set to face Portuguese giants Benfica, reigniting a rivalry that already saw a nine-goal thriller earlier in the tournament.
Hansi Flick’s side finished second in the group stage, securing automatic qualification for the knockouts, while Benfica fought their way through a dramatic play-off against Monaco to book their spot in the Champions League Round of 16.
Barcelona vs. Benfica: A Rematch with High Stakes
Barcelona and Benfica have already met in this season’s UEFA Champions League, with Barca edging out a 5-4 win in an epic encounter in Portugal. The rematch in the UCL Draw will give both teams another shot at proving their dominance.
For Barcelona, this is a chance to continue their European resurgence under Flick. On the other hand, Benfica will be eager for revenge, hoping to upset the Spanish giants and push further into the competition.
Complete UCL Round of 16 Draw
The UCL Draw has lined up some incredible matchups for football fans around the world. Here’s the full list:
- Club Brugge vs. Aston Villa
- Dortmund vs. Lille
- Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid
- Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen
- PSV vs. Arsenal
- Feyenoord vs. Inter Milan
- PSG vs. Liverpool
- Benfica vs. Barcelona
More Blockbuster Clashes in the Champions League
The UCL Draw has thrown up some heavyweight clashes, including a Madrid derby between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, an all-German showdown with Bayern Munich facing Bayer Leverkusen, and a high-voltage clash between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
The battle between PSG and Liverpool will see Luis Enrique’s men take on Jurgen Klopp’s side in what promises to be an electrifying contest. Meanwhile, Arsenal will travel to the Netherlands to face PSV, while Inter Milan will go head-to-head with Feyenoord.
Barcelona’s Route to the Champions League Final
The UCL Draw has also mapped out the quarter-finals and semi-finals. If Barcelona defeats Benfica, they will face the winner of Dortmund vs. Lille in the quarter-finals. Should they make it past that stage, they will be up against either Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Feyenoord, or Inter Milan in the semi-finals.
Here’s what the road to Munich 2025 looks like for Barcelona:
- Round of 16: Benfica vs. Barcelona
- Quarter-finals: Winner of Dortmund vs. Lille
- Semi-finals: Winner of Bayern/Leverkusen vs. Feyenoord/Inter
- Final: May 31, 2025, in Munich, Germany
When Will the Champions League Knockouts Take Place?
The UCL Draw has also confirmed the schedule for the knockout rounds:
- Round of 16: March 4/5 & 11/12, 2025
- Quarter-finals: April 8/9 & 15/16, 2025
- Semi-finals: April 29/30 & May 6/7, 2025
- Final: May 31, 2025, in Munich
Can Barcelona Go All the Way?
With Flick at the helm, Barcelona fans are hopeful of adding another Champions League title to their storied history. However, with powerhouses like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City still in contention, the road to the final won’t be easy.
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Conclusion
The UCL Draw for the Round of 16 has delivered some mouthwatering fixtures. Barcelona vs. Benfica promises to be a thrilling contest, but with heavyweight clashes like PSG vs. Liverpool and Bayern vs. Leverkusen, this stage of the tournament is set to be unforgettable.
As the matches approach, fans around the world are gearing up for what could be one of the most competitive Champions League campaigns in years. Can Barcelona take a step closer to glory? Or will Benfica pull off a massive upset? Only time will tell.
