Manchester City and Real Madrid are going head-to-head again in the Champions League, with the eventual loser facing an unusually early exit from European club soccer’s most prestigious tournament.

Hello there! And just like that, another UEFA Champions League week is upon us. Ahead of the first-ever edition of the knockout phase playoffs, I'm Pardeep Cattry with the latest ahead of a consequential week of action in Europe.

The stage is set for the first-ever edition of the UEFA Champions League’s knockout phase playoffs. The playoffs begin this week when several European heavyweights will compete for a spot in the Champions League Round of 16.