UEFA Champions League play-offs: February 24 matchday lineup
Winners in four ties to be decided today (photo: Getty Images)
The UEFA Champions League enters the final stretch of the play-off round. On February 24, the first teams to advance past the Round of 32 and continue competing for Europe’s top trophy will be determined. While some favorites are preparing for a formality, others face the risk of a humiliating exit, according to the official European football website.
Who plays in the play-offs
This stage includes clubs that finished 9th to 24th in the overall Champions League group stage standings.
Winners of the two-legged ties will advance to the Round of 16, where they will join the teams that finished in the top 8 of the main stage.
Matches on Tuesday
Four matches will be played on February 24.
Atlético Madrid – Club Brugge
After a spectacular 3:3 draw in Belgium, where Club Brugge came back twice during the match, Atlético must start from scratch. Diego Simeone’s team needs to confirm their favorite status at home to avoid an early exit from the tournament.
Inter Milan – Bodø/Glimt
A real shock is brewing in Milan. Italian giant Inter finds itself in a critical position after losing 1:3 to modest Bodø/Glimt. Now at San Siro, the “Nerazzurri” must perform a true sporting feat to preserve the club’s prestige after the cold shower in Norway.
Bodø/Glimt could become the first Norwegian club to advance past a Champions League play-off round. In the 1996/97 season, Rosenborg reached the quarter-finals, but back then, teams advanced directly from the group stage.
Bayer Leverkusen – Olympiacos
The “Pharmacists” from Leverkusen feel confident ahead of their home match against Olympiacos. Thanks to Patrick Schick’s double a week ago, they secured a comfortable 2:0 lead and are clear favorites to advance.
It is worth noting that the Greek club has never passed the Champions League play-off round. All four previous attempts ended in failure.
Newcastle United – Qarabag
Meanwhile, for English side Newcastle, the match against Qarabag has turned into a light test with higher responsibility. After a crushing 6:1 win in Baku, where Anthony Gordon scored four goals, the intrigue in this tie has practically disappeared.
Newcastle coach Eddie Howe is expected to rotate the squad to give key players a rest.
February 24 match schedule (Kyiv time):
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7:45 PM – Atlético Madrid – Club Brugge (first leg 3:3)
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10:00 PM – Bayer Leverkusen – Olympiacos (first leg 2:0)
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10:00 PM – Newcastle United – Qarabag (first leg 6:1)
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10:00 PM – Inter Milan – Bodø/Glimt (first leg 1:3)
