Business end coming closer - UEFA Champions League R16 1st leg 4 & 5 March 2025

A Madrid derby on Tuesday night may not have been what many expected at this stage of the Champions League. Yet, this type of encounter has become possible with the new structure of the competition. The whole tournament structure in the knock-out stages is based on the rankings after the league phase after all. Real had to earn the right to play in the round of 16 very hard though, beating Manchester City over two legs in the knock-out play-offs. Other teams will have to travel a bit more to go and play their round of 16 fixtures this week.

4 March 2025

Borussia Dortmund vs. Lille OSC

10th vs. 7th

21.00h CET, Westfalenstadion, Dortmund

On the pathway back to stability, Dortmund got a goalless draw to guarantee their spot in the round of 16 and now on the weekend beat St Pauli 2-0 away. Will this be enough to beat a very solid Lille side though? Lille had a tricky assignment on the weekend and lost 4-1 away in Paris against PSG. Their Champions League form however should leave them in a positive mood ahead of the trip to Germany.

ATV003H BHX 1500-1715 LIL DH8D D-AASG (03/03/25, ferry flight)

ATV131H LIL 1800-1900 DTM DH8D D-AASG (03/03/25)

Club Brugge vs. Aston Villa

24th vs. 8th

18.45h, Jan Breyel Stadion, Bruges

From the worst possible position on the table, Brugge qualified for the round of 16. It took them a win in two legs over Atalanta, where they even won both legs, 2-1 home and 3-1 away in Bergamo. Now the 8th-placed Aston Villa awaits and will they be a sterner test? After all, Atalanta were the 9th seeds and are now out of the competition.

BRO36P STN 1300-1340 BHX B733 G-SWRD (03/03/25, ferry flight)

BRO36A BHX 1600-1755 OST B733 G-SWRD (03/03/25)

2Excel Aviation Boeing 737-300
seen at Copenhagen in July 2022

5 March 2025

Feyenoord Rotterdam vs. Inter Milan

19th vs. 4th

18.45h CET, De Kuip, Rotterdam

The favourites' role should be clearly in Inter's hands in this tie. They finished the league stage in 4th position and therefore had the play-off round off to save their legs. Feyenoord come off beating Inter's local rivals Milan, thus preventing another city derby in the round of 16.

AZ9018 MXP 1610-1750 RTM A320 (04/03/25)

SL Benfica vs. FC Barcelona

16th vs. 2nd

21.00h CET (20.00 local time), Estadio da Luz, Lisbon

After some troubled years, it seems plain sailing again for Barcelona. They finished the league phase in 2nd position and therefore also had some weeks off from the European Football. Their first opponents away are Benfica who won the previous round against AS Monaco. The first leg there was successful for Benfica while the return leg ended in an attractive 3-3 draw.

UX937 BCN 1115-1115 LIS B738 (04/03/25)

UX983 LIS xxxx-0310 BCN B738 (06/03/25)

Man City or Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League KO Playoffs Return Leg 19 February 2025

Borussia Dortmund vs. Sporting CP

18.45h CET, Westfalenstadion, Dortmund

First leg: 3-0

Dortmund may have their issues in the domestic league. But internationally, they show some nice form. Beating Sporting 3-0 away in Lisbon is no mean feat and the BVB will be expected to book a spot in the round of 16. For Sporting, this trip is mostly about limiting the damage and leaving the competition with a smile on their face. Bigger comebacks have happened though in Champions League ties.

TP9002 LIS 1500-1845 DTM A20N CS-TVM (18/02/25)

TP9004 LIS 1530-1920 DUS A320 CS-TNM (18/02/25)

Real Madrid vs. Manchester City

21.00h CET, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

First leg: 3-2

For some time it looked as if Man City could take a small lead into the away game in Madrid. But then Real Madrid fired in two goals in quick succession at the end of the first leg. Whether the taunting tifo before the game fired up Vinicius Jr and his teammates? In any case, the return leg promises more of the same, with two teams full of offensive firepower. Dropping out of the Champions League at this early stage is not what both clubs are used to.

TLJ440C MAN 1000-1320 MAD E135 F-HSTE (18/02/25)

BRO030A MAN 1530-1900 MAD B737 G-NEWG (18/02/25)

LS6900 LPL 1230-1555 MAD B738 G-GDFJ (18/02/25)

G-SWRD, Boeing 737-300 of 2Excel Aviation
seen at Copenhagen in July 2022

TLJ440C MAD 1100-1230 MAN E145 (20/02/25)

LS6901 MAD 1230-1405 LPL B738 (20/02/25)

BRO030B MAD 1430-1547 MAN B733 (20/02/25)

PSV Eindhoven vs. Juventus Turin

21.00h CET, PSV Stadium, Eindhoven

First leg: 1-2

Just one goal is in between these two teams before the second leg. Juventus may have wanted to create a bigger gap in the first leg. Yet, PSV are still nicely in this and could seal their spot in the round of 16 with a win over Juventus.

AZ9014 TRN 1600-1740 EIN A20N (18/02/25)

Four matches and one goal each - UEFA Champions League KO Playoffs Return Leg 18 February 2025

AC Milan vs. Feyenoord Rotterdam

18.45h CET, San Siro, Milan

First leg: 1-1

It was feisty in Rotterdam on Wednesday night. Feyenoord took an early lead thanks to Paixao's strike in the third minute of the game. But Milan tried their best to fight back into the game. They just could not quite get there and thus take a slight deficit into their home match at San Siro.

KK1908 RTM 1300-1445 MXP A320 D-ANDI (17/02/25)

F41010 RTM 1500-1645 MXP B738 EI-FFA (17/02/25)

KK6010 MXP xxxx-1345 RTM A320 (19/02/25)

FC Bayern München vs. Celtic Glasgow

21.00h CET, Fussball Arena München

Already before the first leg at Parkhead, there were questions over Celtic's away support in Munich. The fans were facing a ban that in the end did not materialize. This means that many hundreds or possibly thousands of Celtic supporters will flood Bavaria's capital and create a great atmosphere on and off the field. Pictures from the 2024 EURO in Germany are still in people's minds. Famously, the Scotland supporters won over the hearts of the German hosts back then, creating an admiring friendship that will hopefully last for a long time.

LS6849 GLA 0945-1310 MUC B738 G-JZHF (17/02/25)

HT2973 GLA 1430-1730 MUC B734 9H-ZAZ (17/02/25)

LS6902 GLA 0900-1125 MUC B738 (18/02/25)

LH2697 GLA 1300-1510 MUC A20N (18/02/25)

LH2699 GLA 1305-1515 MUC A321 (18/02/25)

A Jet2 Holidays Boeing 737-800
seen at London Stansted in May 2024

LH2696 MUC 0630-0855 GLA A321 (19/02/25)

LH2698 MUC 0635-0900 GLA A321 (19/02/25)

LS6850 MUC 1355-1615 GLA B738 (19/02/25)

LS6903 MUC 1400-1620 GLA B738 (19/02/25)

Atalanta Bergamo vs. Club Brugge

21.00h CET, Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo

First leg: 1-2

The Belgian champions take a small lead into the second leg of their tie with Atalanta. This should not mean that they are huge favourites however. After all, Atalanta is very strong at home and might easily fight back to erase the deficit.

ENT55DT OST 1100-1240 BGY B738 SP-ESB (17/02/25)

KK7200 OST 0900-1040 BGY A320 D-ANDI (18/02/25)

SL Benfica vs. AS Monaco

21.00h CET, Estadio da Luz, Lisbon

First leg: 1-0

Benfica managed to get a lead in the first leg away from home and will now try and defend this lead for sure. As with any other tie this Tuesday night, there is only one goal's difference in it, so many things are yet to play for.

MT1240 NCE 1640-1810 LIS A320 9A-BTL (17/02/25)

Bayern going big against Celtic & more - UEFA Champions League Play-Offs First Leg 12 February 2025

Celtic Glasgow vs. FC Bayern München

21.00h CET (20.00h local time), Celtic Park, Glasgow

When teams travel to Glasgow for a game against Celtic, many fans join them to enjoy the atmosphere at one of the loudest stadiums in Europe. Bayern travel to Glasgow with ITA Airways and there will be fan charter flights with Lufthansa and TUI from Munich to Glasgow. On the sports side, Bayern should be favourites of Celtic who play a reasonable international season for their standards.

AZ8964 MUC 1700-1835 GLA A339 (11/02/25)

X38912 MUC 0900-1030 GLA B738 (12/02/25)

LH2698 MUC 1330-1455 GLA A321 (12/02/25)

LH2696 MUC 1335-1500 GLA A321 (12/02/25)

X38913 GLA 0245-0605 MUC B738 (13/02/25)

LH2699 GLA 0530-0840 MUC A321 (13/02/25)

LH2697 GLA 0535-0845 MUC A321 (13/02/25)

AZ8965 GLA 1030-1355 MUC A339 (13/02/25)

A Lufthansa Airbus A321 seen at Helsinki-Vantaa in July 2024

AS Monaco vs. SL Benfica

21.00h CET, Stade Louis II, Monte Carlo

On paper, this should be the tightest of the eight ties in the playoffs. AS Monaco finished in 17th position, with Benfica just one spot above. Coincidentally, these teams already met in the league phase, where Benfica managed to win away in Monaco, outscoring the hosts 3-2. Benfica turned the game around really late at that time, with goals from former FC Basel Players Arthur Cabral and Zeki Amdouni.

TP9094 LIS 0920-1250 NCE A339 CS-TUL (11/02/25)

TP9095 NCE 1130-1215 LIS A339 (13/02/25)

Feyenoord Rotterdam vs. AC Milan

21.00h CET, De Kuip, Rotterdam

Coming off a resounding win over FC Bayern, Feyenoord are facing another traditional giant of European football. AC Milan finished higher up in the league phase, so they will get to play the second leg of this tie at home.

NO9186 MXP 1630-1810 RTM B738 (11/02/25)

NO9187 RTM 1230-1415 MXP B738 (13/02/25)

Club Brugge vs. Atalanta Bergamo

18.45h CET, Jan Breydel Stadion, Brugge

Of all the eight ties in this play-off round, Brugge vs Atlanta sees the teams with the biggest points difference overall. Brugge just about made it into this round while Atalanta closely missed out on a direct qualification for the round of 16. Atalanta are the big favourites, but Jan Breydel Stadion is never an easy place for any away side.

AZ9070 BGY 1430-1615 OST A320 EI-DTA (11/02/25)

AZ9945 OST 1705-1925 FCO A320 EI-DTA (11/02/25, ferry flight)

Giants meeting in Manchester - UEFA Champions League Play-Offs First Leg 11 February 2025

Manchester City vs. Real Madrid

21.00h CET (20.00h local time), City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester

Two of the ultimate giants of European club football are vying for a place in the last 16 of this season's Champions League. Both would have hoped for more, but at least the fans get to enjoy two legs of the finest football available at an early stage. Pep Guardiola has reinforced his squad over winter with some high-profile signings. Just, will it be enough to beat the mighty Real Madrid of Carlo Ancelotti?

IB1401 MAD 1030-1215 MAN A333 EC-LXK (10/02/25)

IB1402 MAN 2330-0245(+1) MAD A333 (11/02/25)

An Iberia Airbus A330-300
seen at Madrid in March 2023

Sporting CP vs. Borussia Dortmund

21.00h CET (20.00h local time), José Alvalade, Lisbon

Troubled in the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund at least held their own in the Champions League. Yet they have to go through the play-offs and have not quite got an easy draw. At least they have their "own" transport of sorts, a Eurowings Airbus A320 in the colours of the club that takes them to the away games. For once they will have to settle with a different aircraft however, with D-AEWT in normal Eurowings colours taking over the charter duties.

EW1909 DTM 1550-1810 LIS A320 D-AEWT (10/02/25)

EW1909 LIS 1410-1810 DTM A320 (12/02/25)

Juventus Turin vs. PSV Eindhoven

21.00h CET, Juventus Stadium, Turin

PSV may not have been the team expected to finish above Juventus in the League Phase table. But with just one more point they finished five spots above the Italian record champions.

ATV010H BHX 0750-1020 EIN DH8D D-AASG (10/02/25, ferry flight)

ATV040E EIN 1100-1300 TRN DH8D D-AASG (10/02/25)

HV81 AMS 0855-0925 EIN B738 9A-ABC (10/02/25)

2F1914 EIN 1115-1240 TRN B738 9A-ABC (10/02/25)

Stade Rennais 29 vs. Paris St-Germain

18.45 CET, Stade de Roudourou, Guingamp

In their exile in Guingamp, Stade Rennais 29 are hosting none less than their own domestic champions PSG. There was no protection from domestic clashes in the play-off round and this is the result of it. Despite the relatively short distance from Paris to Guingamp, PSG are still taking the plane to get to the game, flying from Paris CDG to St Brieuc.

KLJ3123 CDG 1145-1240 SBK B733 LY-CHF (10/02/25)

Final Games of the League Phase - UEFA Champions League MD8, 29 January 2025

After seven rounds of the League Phase, only two teams have qualified for the round of 16 already. Liverpool and Barcelona could thus take it easy in the eight and final round of games. All games will kick off at the same time, which will also mean that all the travel arrangements are slightly more compounded than usual. 18 UEFA Champions League matches on the same day and kicking off at exactly the same - this has never happened before in over 30 years since the old European Cup was rebranded as the Champions League.

On the other hand, a whopping nine teams are already out of contention for the round of 16 or the play-off round before that. BSC Young Boys and Slovan Bratislava sit at the bottom of the table with no points at all. Salzburg, Leipzig, Sturm Graz, Red Star Belgrade and Girona all managed one win in seven games. Sparta Prague drew one game while Bologna drew two in addition to one win each. Of all teams still in contention for a play-off spot, Manchester City are probably the most negative surprise, sitting in 25th position with just two wins and two draws. They must win their home game against Brugge to stay in the competition.

29 January 2025

all matches to kick off at 21.00h CET

Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs. Sparta Prague

BayArena, Leverkusen

8th / 13 pts vs. 29th / 4 pts

Guaranteed a spot in the play-offs at least, Bayer 04 will look to maintain their spot in the round of 16. For this, they probably need a win and some other results to go their way. After all, there are no less than six teams tied on 13 points after seven matches. Visitors Sparta Prague are eliminated from the competition already.

QS4458 PRG 1200-1330 CGN B738 OK-TVH (28/01/25)

QS4436 PRG 1300-1430 CGN B738 OK-TSU (28/01/25)

QS4437 CGN 1200-1330 PRG B738 (30/01/25)

QS4459 CGN 1400-1530 PRG B738 (30/01/25)

BSC Young Boys vs. Red Star Belgrade

Stadion Wankdorf, Bern

36th / 0 pts vs. 32nd / 3 pts

Both these teams are already out. But Young Boys are even worse off. They have not managed to gain a single point this season, losing all seven previous matches and conceding 23 goals along the way. YB will look to beat Red Star like last season to at least have some points on the board.

JU9022 BEG 1000-1205 BSL A319 YU-APE (28/01/25)

JU9023 BSL 1245-xxxx BEG A319 YU-APE (28/01/25, ferry flight)

JU9022 BEG xxxx-1405 BSL A319 (30/01/25, ferry flight)

JU9023 BSL 1450-xxxx BEG A319 (30/01/25)

FC Barcelona vs. Atalanta Bergamo

Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Montjuic, Barcelona

2nd / 18 pts vs. 7th / 14 pts

The hosts Barça are one of two teams that are guaranteed a seeded place in the round of 16 already. Atalanta however still need to maintain their spot to avoid the play-offs. A win would make sure for them that they get some time off. A draw however would make Atalanta dependent on other results on the same night.

AZ9070 BGY 1430-1610 BCN A20N EI-HOD (28/01/25)

MT1620 BGY 0900-1035 BCN A320 9A-BTL (29/01/25)

AP1855 BGY xxxx-1040 BCN B738 (29/01/25)

VOE9108 BGY xxxx-1015 BCN A320 (29/01/25)

VOE9109 BCN 0055-xxxx BGY A320 (30/01/25)

MT1621 BCN 0110-xxxx BGY A320 (30/01/25)

AP1856 BCN 0200-xxxx BGY B738 (30/01/25)

AZ9071 BCN 0945-xxxx BGY A20N (30/01/25)

RB Salzburg vs. Atlético Madrid

Red Bull Arena, Salzburg

34th / 3 pts vs. 5th / 15 pts

For the second time within one week, Salzburg play against a team from Madrid. After Real last week it is Atlético Madrid now. Los Colchoneros sit nicely on the table and probably just need one point from this game to consolidate their access to the round of 16. A win would end any discussions about this right away though.

PVG1903 MAD 1045-1435 SZG A321 EC-OCT (28/01/25)

PVG2003 SZG 1030-xxxx MAD A321 (30/01/25)

Manchester City vs. Club Brugge

City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester

25th / 8 pts vs. 20th / 11 pts

This tie is absolutely crucial for both teams. Brugge sit on 11 points and need just the one extra point to be sure about qualification for the play-offs. City however absolutely need to win to stand any chance after their disappointing loss in Paris last week.

ENT585 OST 1130-1115 MAN B738 SP-ESL (28/01/25)

ENT586 MAN 1200-xxxx OST B738 SP-ESL (30/01/25)

An Enter Air Boeing 737-800 seen at Basel-Mulhouse in June 2023

Girona FC vs. Arsenal

Montilivi, Girona

31st / 3 pts vs. 3rd / 16 pts

It would take a major shift elsewhere for Arsenal still to drop out of the top 8. But Girona does not seem like the type of opposition that should cause them much harm though. The Catalan team only managed the one win in the competition so far and is already sure to be eliminated by the end of the league phase.

ZT6591 LTN 1530-1840 GRO A321 G-POWN (28/01/25)

ZT6592 GRO 0130-xxxx LTN A321 G-POWN (30/01/25)

Stade Brestois 29 vs. Real Madrid

Stade de Roudourou, Guingamp

13th / 13 pts vs. 16th / 12 pts

Three teams and one point are between these two sides. Surprisingly it is the way smaller club from Northwestern France though who is on top there. Real will at least look to get home advantage in the knockout play-off tie in February. Brest however can still even dream of direct access to the round of 16.

IB1401 MAD 1030-1205 SBK A319 EC-KUB (28/01/25)

IB1400 SBK 1330-1530 MAD A310 EC-KUB (28/01/25, ferry flight)

IB1402 SBK xxxx-0230 MAD (30/01/25)

Sturm Graz vs. RB Leipzig

Wörthersee-Stadion, Klagenfurt

33rd / 3 pts vs. 30th / 3 pts

This duel between two German-speaking teams is also a duel of two eliminated sides. Sturm will play their final home game in the exile of Klagenfurt while their home ground Liebenauer Stadion is still not ready for Champions League football. Leipzig have been struggling all season long so far, in the domestic league just as much as internationally.

KK7100 LEJ 1620-1730 KLU A320 OY-JRK (28/01/25)

FC Bayern München vs. Slovan Bratislava

Fussball Arena München

15th / 12 pts vs. 35th / 0 pts

Of the two sides without points yet, Slovan Bratislava definitely have the tougher opponent in the last round of the league phase. They travel to Munich where Bayern still need points to move further up from 15th place and on an outside chance even up to the top 8.

RR9381 BTS 1100-1210 FMM B738 SP-RNE (28/01/25)

Inter Milan vs. AS Monaco

San Siro, Milan

4th / 16 pts vs. 10th / 13 pts

A rather short trip but still a flight for AS Monaco on their quest to usurp a couple of teams to finish in the top eight. Inter on their side though might be happy with a draw from this game already. It would guarantee them a spot in the top eight who qualify directly for the round of 16.

AP1273 NCE 1635-1740 MXP B738 (28/01/25)

AP1274 MXP 0130-0235 NCE B738 (30/01/25)

Dinamo Zagreb vs. AC Milan

Maksimir, Zagreb

26th / 8 pts vs. 6th / 15 pts

Two points behind the pace for 24th place, Dinamo are in a must-win situation against Milan. The Italian side should be favourites to win this game and even a draw is already enough for them to proceed to the round of 16.

NO9260 MXP 1630-1740 ZAG B738 (28/01/25)

Juventus Turin vs. SL Benfica

Juventus Stadium, Turin

17th / 12 pts vs. 21st / 10 pts

In this genuine midfield clash, both teams still fight for the seeding in the play-off round. It would take a lot of other results going the right way for them to be able to fight for a direct access to the round of 16. Expect no gifts on either side though, as home advantage in the play-off round in February could be absolutely crucial.

TP9024 LIS 1500-xxxx TRN (28/01/25)

Sporting CP vs. Bologna

José Alvalade, Lisbon

23rd / 10 pts vs. 28th / 5 pts

There is almost a dead-rubber feeling over this match. Bologna face one more away trip, but they are already out of contention for the play-offs. Sporting need so many results to go the right way that it seems unlikely for them to make it up into the seeded ranks for the play-offs. At least they are guaranteed a spot in this next round.

AZ9028 BLQ 1500-1710 LIS A320 EI-DTN (28/01/25)

Borussia Dortmund vs. Shakhtar Donezk

Westfalenstadion, Dortmund

14th / 12 pts vs. 27th / 7 pts

The lowest-ranked team with an outside chance of making it to the play-offs is traveling to Dortmund - directly from their winter camp in Antalya. Shakhtar face an uphill task against a wounded BVB side who will be looking to at least consolidate their top 16 finish for a seeded spot in the play-offs.

FH731 AYT xxxx-1050 DTM A320 (28/01/25)

FH732 DTM 1140-xxxx ISL A320 (28/01/25, ferry flight)

VfB Stuttgart vs. Paris St-Germain

MHPArena, Stuttgart

24th / 10 pts vs. 22nd /10 pts

Both teams are equal on points, which could not have been expected before the league phase. With Manchester City looming from behind for sure, Stuttgart and PSG will be absolutely desperate to get a win from this fixture.

KLJ2881 CDG 1115-1220 STR B733 LY-CHF (28/01/25)

Aston Villa vs. Celtic Glasgow

Villa Park, Birmingham

9th / 13 pts vs. 18th / 12 pts

Just one point separates these two teams after seven matches. Both are assured a spot in a next round, but they might look for even better options. Add to that the dynamic of an English vs. Scottish game - it's on!

LS6959 GLA 1600-1710 BHX B738 G-JZHU (28/01/25)

PSV Eindhoven vs. Liverpool FC

Philips Stadion, Eindhoven

19th / 11 pts vs. 1st / 21 pts

The Dutch hosts are facing none other than the only unbeaten team in this season's league phase of the UEFA Champions League. Liverpool are certain to be in the round of 16 with this and might just look to extend that run to eight wins from as many games.

LS6894 LPL 1230-1450 EIN B738 G-JZHF (28/01/25)

ZT621 LPL 1650-1900 EIN A320 G-POWM (28/01/25)