Champions League Play-off: Confusion Over New Format As Teams Battle For Last-16 Spots

For the first time in the history of the UEFA Champions League, there were Round of 16 play-off ties this midweek.

The competition underwent a big revamp ahead of the 2024/25 season, with the total number of teams increased from 32 to 36.

The biggest change saw a change from the usual group stage to a single league phase.

Every club was guaranteed a minimum of eight league-stage games against eight different opponents four home games, four away, rather than the previous six matches against three teams, played on a home-and-away basis.

The top eight sides qualified automatically for the knockout stages, while the teams that finished in ninth to 24th place were drawn in a two-legged play-off to secure a place in the last 16 of the competition.