But how does this feed into the round-of-16 ties? When is the next draw? How does it all knit together? And why were those final league phase positions so important?
Here’s how it all works.
Which clubs are in the knockout playoff round?
Only the 16 teams that finished in positions nine to 24.
The clubs that finished in the top eight and went directly through to the round of 16.
Clubs finishing 25th to 36th had already been eliminated.
What are the knockout playoff round fixtures?
The teams placed ninth to 16th are seeded and will play at home in the second leg, and are listed second.
Correct. Clubs from the same country can play each other from the knockout playoff round onward. That’s why PSG have been drawn to play Ligue 1 rivals Brest.
It was also possible to draw one of the eight teams you’d already faced — including the most recent opponents from Matchday 8.
