Champions League Playoff Matches

The following article details matches of the 2024-25 Champions League.

Champions League Playoff Matches

 

The following is the first playoff matches, with the lower ranked side playing at home first.

 

Inter Milan v Celtic

Celtic made two changes to their side, while Inter Milan, who hit the bar early, kept the same line up. Though Celtic tried in vain down the other end, it was Marcus Thuram who gave the hosts the lead. He had a brace when he was found left alone with a through ball, and one-on-one against the goalkeeper, he was never going to miss. Thuram had a hat trick straight after the break, running rings around the Celtic defenders. Celtic had no answer in attack either, looking lacklustre. That means the second leg should be a formality, though Celtic have been known to romp home plenty of goals on home soil.

 

Barcelona v Sporting Lisbon

Barcelona made two changes, while Sporting Lisbon kept their same set up. The first half was played in the middle of the park, with neither side able to break down the defence, and the ball went back and forth, much like a tennis match. The majority of the second half stayed the same, due to Sporting’s high defensive line. From there, the match ended in Sporting’s favour with a scoreless draw, though Robert Lewandowski had minor chances.

 

Juventus v Girona

Juventus and Girona kept their same line up as they pushed for goals to gain the early advantage across the two legs. Juventus had the better chances early, whilst Girona looked dangerous down the left wing. Juventus had the better chances in the second half, only to fall short of a goal, and giving Girona the edge in the return leg, with the home ground advantage.

 

Brest v Borussia Dortmund

Brest made two changes and Borussia Dortmund kept the same players as their eighth Champions League match. Two red cards, though, in the first half for Dortmund, meant Kenny Lala had a penalty right before the break, and he shot to the right and scored. Ludovic Ajorque then scored when all alone in the box, as two defenders were in the dressing room. Adjustments to Dortmund’s side meant they were able to thwart the counters Brest threw their way, while setting up their own counters. However, Brest goes into the second leg full of confidence.

 

Stuttgart v Benfica

Stuttgart started with a bang, scoring after a great series of plays with Deniz Undav slotting his third goal for the tournament. Benfica worked back into the match and had shots on goal, though nothing dangerous for Stuttgart. Alexander Bah had a shot go over the bar when he ran into the box. He also was offside when he received the ball after an initial cutback pass. From there, Stuttgart had other shots, only for the Benfica goalkeeper to keep the ball at bay.

 

Atalanta v Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen made one change in the hope of attacking at Atalanta, though the home side looked better early in attack. Mateo Retegui hit the crossbar, and then Bayer took the counter by the horns, scoring via Patrik Schick. His assisting teammate, Jonas Hofmann, then was paid back by Schick as Hofmann shot the other side of the goalkeeper, making it two-nil. After the break, Ademola Lookman caught the defenders mucking about in defence and pegged back a goal. However, substitute Nathan Tella received yet another through ball, released into the box, and outsmarted the goalkeeper. Lookman then was alone in the box thanks to a back heel, and the difference was one goal again. From there, neither side advanced great strides, and were content with their respective positions going into the second leg.

 

Young Boys v RB Leipzig

RB Leipzig had to make one change in their encounter with Young Boys. An early goal set the tone for the visitors, scoring via Loïs Openda. The rest of the half saw Leipzig keep the edge, only to not score. Instead, Cedric Itten scored straight after the break with a great through ball and first-time ping. Filip Ugrinic then gave the hosts the lead. Leipzig, against their best efforts, could not score again, and Young Boys gained the vital win in their home leg.

 

Aston Villa v Atlético Madrid

Both Aston Villa and Atlético Madrid made one change each in the hope of gaining a key advantage. The first half was mostly in the middle, only for the visitors to look the better side. However, injuries meant early substitutes, and Aston Villa had the better chances in the second half, all to no avail.

 

 

The following contains the second legs of the Champions League playoffs.

 

Benfica v Stuttgart

No changes were made for the second leg between Benfica and Stuttgart. Benfica attacked without relent and scored early via Kerem Aktürkoğlu. The hosts stamped their dominance on the match with a second goal, this time from right in front of the edge of the box via Orkun Kökçü. However, Deniz Undav scored for Stuttgart to gain back a goal and tie up the clash. The second half was a passive match from both sides, until Stuttgart countered and Undav had a header hit the mark, coming off a Ermedin Demirović cross from the left flank. That goal meant Stuttgart progressed through to the Round of 16, much to the angst of Benfica.

 

Bayer Leverkusen v Atalanta

The same starting eleven faced off between Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta, and in the snow, the hosts scored via Patrik Schick’s curling left footer. They should have had a second, only for Atalanta to hold firm, and counter and score via Mateo Retegui, who made the perfect run beyond the Bayer defence. In the second half, the home side looked to put the game beyond doubt, though Retegui once again had the perfect through ball, and he made no mistake to tie up the aggregate. Neither side could break the 4-4 deadlock, leading to extra time. Atalanta looked the better side, only for Schick to get onto a corner kick and give Leverkusen the lead. However, right before half time of extra time, Ademola Lookman, who assisted Retegui for his two goals, reversed the order and scored on his own accord. After the brief break, Atalanta went all out attack, and the gamble paid off as Mario Pašalić, the substitute in attacking midfield, shot at goal, and it went through the goalkeeper’s hands. Leverkusen then did the same, scoring by sheer pressure by Jonas Hofmann.

 

Penalties ensued:

Ø Tapsoba’s penalty flew straight to the keeper.

Ø De Roon scored to gain the advantage.

Ø Palacios with ease, snagged a penalty for his side.

Ø Retegui stepped up to score again as he had done in the match proper.

Ø Hofmann also scored.

Ø Cuadrado’s penalty �" the keeper did not even move.

Ø Adli scored.

Ø Lookman scored.

Ø Xhaka scored to allow it to go to the fifth spot kick.

Ø Pašalić capped off a brilliant game as Atalanta went through against all odds.

 

RB Leipzig v Young Boys

Leipzig had to bounce back from a poor loss against Young Boys. It took until late in the first half to score, only when Young Boys backed off in midfield, and David Raum scored his first goal in ten matches. Loïs Openda then scored from the spot after a fast attack had Young Boys clamouring for defence, and only could bring down the attacker. Frustration crept into the Young Boys’ play in the second half, leading to Alan Virginius’ red card. Leipzig then managed the match and scored in additional time to finish off the win, with Benjamin Šeško gaining possession of the through ball and capping off advancement to the Round of 16.

 

Atlético Madrid v Aston Villa

Whoever won between Aston Villa and Atlético Madrid would join Leipzig, with the hosts making one crucial change. Antoine Griezmann made sure, late in the first half, to score his fourth for the Champions League, where he won the ball in a dangerous spot and played a quick one-two. Aston Villa tried in vain in the second half, and blocks and good goalkeeping gave Atlético the win and successful progression.

 

Celtic v Inter Milan

Celtic needed to overcome a three-goal deficit, only to have Marcus Thuram score early. Celtic equalised on the night via Kyogo Furuhashi. Celtic then scored via Arne Engels, in spite of an injury. As the match wore on, though, Inter Milan held steadfast, and when Greg Taylor was sent off, it seemed Celtic had too big a task to overcome. Though Celtic won 2-1 on the night, it was Inter Milan who progresses to the Round of 16.

 

Sporting v Barcelona

The winner of this match would advance with Inter Milan, with Sporting taking the early lead with a penalty for Viktor Gyökeres to finish. In the 61st minute, Robert Lewandowski equalised, after Barcelona worked into the match. All square, Barcelona tried to score in vain, and the match went to extra time. Sporting played for penalties while Barcelona went for the win, all to no avail.

 

Penalty kicks:

Ø Gonçalves scored for Sporting.

Ø Lewandowski scored as well.

Ø Trincão’s was saved to the goalkeeper’s right.

Ø Raphinha gave Barcelona the edge.

Ø St. Juste just snuck under the goalkeeper.

Ø Torres made no mistake.

Ø Edwards scored with ease.

Ø Fati was so fast the keeper did not move.

Ø Reis then shot to his left, and the goalkeeper saved it with his left hand.

 

Ø Barcelona advanced to the Round of 16, despite being pushed all the way.

 

Girona v Juventus

Girona made four changes while Juventus made one in a match where winning meaning advancing. Girona had the better of the play, and right before the break, scored via Arnaut Danjuma when the goalkeeper failed to cover the near post. Viktor Tsygankov then scored in the second half from a similar position, sliding ahead of the defenders to double the lead. Danjuma Scored a third to put the match beyond any doubt. Juventus pegged one goal back via Dušan Vlahović. However, Cristhian Stuani came off the bench and powered against the underside of the crossbar, creating an impossible task for Juventus to get back in the match.

 

Borussia Dortmund v Brest

Borussia Dortmund needed to make up a two-goal deficit in the return leg and thus made two changes due to the red cards. Dortmund looked for an early goal and exploited down the left wing due to a right back injury, and Julian Brandt scored off a free kick, his third goal for the Champion League. Marcel Sabitzer doubled the lead when his teammates combined to set him up in front of goal, making the tie all even. However, Dortmund continued their red card ways and Julian Ryerson took out an attacker, earning an early shower. That did not perturb the hosts as they scored a third goal with ease, this time it was Maximilian Beier. Sabitzer then curled with the outside of his foot from a tight angle to make it four goals. A fifth came after a Brest red card allowed the left wing to be exploited, and Karim Adeyemi, off the bench, made no mistake. In the end, Dortmund was never in doubt.