The race for the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League final looks set to be another fascinating battle amongst Europe's elite.The newly-expanded format of the tournament has meant changes to how teams qualify for the knockout rounds with more games added to the league phase and the creation of Round of 16 playoffs for teams finishing outside the top eight of the league standings.

At least four former European champions will be among eight teams eliminated from the Champions League when the new knockout playoff round ends this week: Real Madrid or Manchester City, Bayern Munich or Celtic,

Pep Guardiola’s City trail 3-2 on aggregate after letting a lead slip away in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium