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.

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