Champions League play-off draw: Man City face holders Real Madrid in blockbuster conflict of assembly of final three winners

Manchester City face a blockbuster Champions League play-off tie against Real Madrid after the draw was conducted at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon.

Pep Guardiola‘s side advanced to the knock-out stage of the tournament by winning their final league phase match 3-1 against Club Brugge in midweek.

The result saw the Premier League champions to finish 22nd in the league, which was enough for a play-off spot but left them unseeded in the draw.

Man City were paired with Celtic, who finished in 21st place, with the teams knowing they would be drawn against European heavyweights Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

The draw continues Man City’s recent trend of facing Real Madrid in Europe’s premier club competition.

The sides have met in the past three seasons, with the winner of each tie going on to lift the trophy.

Manchester City will face Real Madrid in the Champions League for a fourth straight season

The winners of their ties in the last three seasons went on to win the Champions League

Celtic will face German giants Bayern Munich as they bid to reach the round of 16

Real Madrid beat Man City on penalties in the quarter-finals last season, avenging their loss in the semi-final stage the previous year.

Los Blancos also won their semi-final meeting in 2022.

Man City’s draw confirmed that Celtic were drawn to face Bayern Munich in the play-offs. 

As the unseeded teams, Man City and Celtic will host the first legs of their respective ties on February 11 or 12.

They will then travel for the away legs on February 18 or 19. 

The draw has also set up an all-French play-off between Brest and Paris Saint-Germain, while Monaco will face Benfica.

Two ties will feature Italian sides taking on Dutch opposition.

Juventus have been drawn to face reigning Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven, while AC Milan will play Feyenoord.

Belgian champions Club Brugge have been drawn to face Atalanta, while Sporting Lisbon meet Borussia Dortmund.

Brendan Rodgers Celtic side will host Bayern Munich in the first leg of their two-legged play-off

The last-16 draw will take place on February 21, following the conclusion of the play-off matches.

Top seeds Liverpool and Barcelona will face the winners of the match between Brest and PSG or the victor in Monaco and Benfica’s play-off tie.

Arsenal or Inter Milan could meet Juventus, PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord or AC Milan, while Aston Villa and Lille are due to play one of Atalanta, Club Brugge, Borussia Dortmund and Sporting Lisbon.

Should Man City and Celtic make it through their play-off ties, they will face either Bayer Leverkusen or Atletico Madrid in the last-16.