UEFA Champions League: I tried my best to avoid Real Madrid and Bayern Munich but it’s quite unfortunate 

UEFA Champions League: I tried my best to avoid Real Madrid and Bayern Munich but it’s quite unfortunate

 

UEFA Champions League 2024/25 holders and Spanish giants, Real Madrid, will face Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 play-offs.
man city
The draw for the play-offs took place on Friday, January 31, 2025.

This would be the fourth consecutive season City and Madrid would face each other in the Champions League.

Last season Madrid edged out City 4-3 on penalty shootout in the quarter-finals, after aggregate score ended 4-4 over two legs.

Madrid went on to win land their 15th Champions League title after beating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the final.

Madrid secured their place in the play-offs on Wednesday after thrashing Brest 3-0 away in their final game on matchday 8.

On their part, City came from 1-0 down to beat Club Brugge 3-1 at the Etihad.

Reigning CAF Player of the Year Ademola Lookman will come up against his Nigerian compatriot Raphael Onyedika when Atalanta take on Club Brugge.

Other play-offs fixtures will see Samuel Chukwueze’s AC Milan take on Feyenoord, Celtic will battle Bayern Munich and Sporting Lisbon will square off against Dortmund.

Others are AS Monaco up against Benfica, Juventus to battle PSV and Ligue 1 sides Brest against Paris Saint-Germain.

The first legs will be played on 11 and 12 February and the second legs will take place on 18 and 19 February, 2025.

Champions League round of 16 Play-offs

Brest Vs PSG

Club Brugge Vs Atalanta

Man City Vs Madrid

Juventus Vs PSV

Feyenoord Vs AC Milan

Celtic Vs Bayern Munich

Sporting Lisbon Vs Dortmund

Monaco Vs Benfica

According to OwnGoalNigeria, Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, has gushed over Nigerian midfielder Raphael Onyedika, saying that he is an integral part of the team’s strategy in preparation for their UEFA Champions League match against Club Brugge. During a news conference held prior to the match, the Spanish tactician expressed his admiration for Onyedika’s skills in creating overlaps and identifying defensive gaps.

These qualities, according to the tactician, will be crucial in overcoming the Belgian team’s defence. It’s little wonder Guardiola thinks so highly of Onyedika’s abilities; the midfielder has been outstanding in the Champions League this year.

Onyedika is one of the best midfielders in the league thanks to his outstanding passing range, vision, and work ethic, and he has impressive statistics to boot. The relentless energy and commitment of the Nigerian international has been on full display in his 10.5 kilometre average mileage each match. The Manchester City manager knows his team must play at a high level to beat Club Brugge and maintain Champions League aspirations.

As the stakes rise, Guardiola is putting his faith in Onyedika to find ways to get past the defence and set up goals. If Manchester City want their offensive players to have a big impact, they need a midfielder who can create overlaps and locate space in tight spaces.