Actual Madrid have formally booked their place within the UEFA Champions League spherical of 16 after within the playoffs.
With this hurdle cleared, all eyes are actually on the upcoming draw, which is able to set the trail for each crew from the spherical of 16 all the best way to the ultimate beneath the competitors’s revamped format.
Barcelona, having completed second within the league part, secured direct qualification to the spherical of 16 and averted the play-in stage. This ensures that they are going to be positioned on the prime of the draw on one of many two sides.
In the meantime, Actual Madrid’s involvement within the play-in spherical has positioned them on the left aspect of the draw. will emerge from the conflict between Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen.
Can there be an El Clasico in UCL?
With that in thoughts, the burning query stays—might there be a Champions League El Clasico? The reply is sure, however the timing relies upon completely on the draw.
The primary potential assembly between Barcelona and Actual Madrid wouldn’t occur earlier than the semi-finals.
If Barcelona are positioned on the left aspect of the draw, alongside PSG, their path to the semi-finals would contain overcoming the French giants within the spherical of 16 after which dealing with the winner of the tie between Membership Brugge and both Lille or Aston Villa within the quarter-finals.
On the similar time, Actual Madrid would want to defeat both Atletico or Leverkusen after which get previous the winner of the tie between PSV and Arsenal or Inter Milan.
The choice Clasico
Alternatively, if the draw locations Barcelona on the correct aspect, the place their spherical of 16 opponent can be Benfica, then the one potential El Clasico within the competitors would happen within the closing.
All the things now hinges on how the draw unfolds, because the Champions League knockout stage guarantees thrilling encounters and the potential for one more high-stakes showdown between Spain’s greatest rivals.