2023-24 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw details: Time and stream details
Which teams have qualified? When and where it will take place? What are the rules? Everything you need to know about the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League round of 16 draw.
16 teams qualified for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 stage after Wednesday's matchday 6. Two teams from each group have qualified as group topper and group runners-ups.
Here are the teams qualified for 2023-24 UEFA Champions League round of 16 draw
Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, Atletico de Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and FC Barcelona qualified for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 as group toppers.
Meanwhile, Copenhagen, PSV, Napoli, Inter Milan, Lazio, PSG, Leipzig, and FC Porto qualified as group runners-ups from the group stage.
When the UEFA Champions League round of 16 draw will happen?
The 2023/24 UEFA Champions League round of 16 draw will take place at 4.30 pm on 18 December at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.
Group toppers will be drawn against the group runners-up. No team from the same national association can face another in the Round of 16. No team from the same group also can face eachother in the round of 16.
Dates of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 matches
The first legs will take place on 13,14, 20, and 21 February 2024 while the second legs will take place on 5, 6, 12, and 13 March 2024.
"I will not wait until summer" Joshua Kimmich plans to decide his future very soon
Bayern Munich Midfielder Joshua Kimmich has spoken up about his future, saying he will not wait until next summer to make the right decision whether he will stay with the German club or not.
In a recent media interaction, Joshua Kimmich, the 29-year-old midfielder of Bayern Munich revealed that he is planning to decide his future as soon as possible, as he will not wait until the summer transfer window of 2025 to finalize his decision. Kimmich has not made it clear whether he will stay at the German club or not, but his statement will surely make him one of the most sought-after players in the upcoming winter transfer window.
Joshua Kimmich's Statement
"I will not wait until summer,"
"I will sit down in winter and then try to see the bigger picture. And make the right decision."
Kimmich's contract situation with Bayern
Joshua Kimmich's contract with Bayern Munich will expire in June 2025, but there have been no reported talks with the club to pen down his contract extension until November. However, recent speculations in November 2024 suggested that Kimmich might stay at his current club, and he is on the verge of signing a new contract. Christoph Freund, the Sporting Director of Bayern has also spoken up regarding the matter in a press conference on December 2.
"We’re in good talks. Of course our wish would be to complete the deals as soon as possible. But the most important thing is that in the end there would be a positive result and that they extend. It doesn’t matter whether a week earlier or three weeks later. We are positive about both cases,
The German international did not reveal anything about the ongoing talks with the club, but he has not ruled out the possibility of moving to a new club in the January transfer window. Kimmich is one of the highest earners in the current Bayern squad, which may lead to different complications in renewing his contract. Bayern officials are not willing to release Kimmich on a free transfer and a contract extension cannot be considered off the cards.
Previous links with different clubs
Previously, Kimmich has been heavily linked up with FC Barcelona to be the potential replacement for Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong. However, Barcelona could not afford the transfer fees asked by Bayern to sell the German midfielder. However, Kimmich did not rule out the possibility of playing for the Catalan club and Barcelona will again try to pursue their target to sign the player who will be a free agent on 1 July 2025. Barcelona can be confident as they have appointed Hansi Flick as the head coach last summer, who also coached Kimmich during his Bayern tenure.
However, Paris Saint-Germain has been monitoring Kimmich's situation as well, and they have reportedly joined the race to secure his services. On the other hand, another Spanish giant Real Madrid has reportedly joined the race to get his signing. According to reports by SkySports Germany in November 2024, Real Madrid is eyeing Joshua Kimmich as a potential replacement for French youngster Aurelin Tchouameni. If Kimmich does not renew his contract with the Bavarians, the transfer window will surely witness a long-going tussle between clubs to sign the player on a free transfer.
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Draw: Groups, Format, and Schedule
Real Madrid were drawn against Al Hilal, CF Pachuca and FC Salzburg while Lionel Messi's Inter Miami was placed in the same group with FC Porto in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Draw on Thursday. Here are all the details.
Set to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025, the restructured global club football competition will bring together 32 teams from across the world to vie for the title of world champions.
The draw, held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, in Miami, showcased an impressive lineup of continental and domestic champions from every corner of the globe.
Among the standout contenders are Spain's Real Madrid, the UEFA Champions League winners, Brazil's Botafogo, the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores champions, and Egypt's Al Ahly, who are consecutive CAF Champions League winners.
New Format
New FIFA Club World Cup Trophy. Image | FIFA
Traditionally featuring six to eight teams, the FIFA Club World Cup will now adopt a new format, hosting the largest number of participants in its history. Teams earned qualification by winning their respective continental club tournaments, such as the UEFA Champions League, and based on the confederations' four-year rankings.
South America (CONMEBOL) includes six teams, whereas Europe (whose confederation is UEFA) has twelve, making up the largest representation of the 32 teams.
There are four teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean (CONCACAF), Africa (AFC), and Asia (AFC).
Lionel Messi's Inter Miami was given a spot, as the domestic champions of the host country, Oceania (OFC) got one spot as well. The top two from each of the 8 groups will advance to the knockout stages after a round-robin group stage.
The final will take place at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey on 13 July.
Erik Ten Hag is reportedly shortlisted to replace Marco Rose as the next RB Leipzig manager
Ex-Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag has reportedly been shortlisted to be appointed as the next head coach of RB Leipzig, following the club's recent poor performance under current manager Marco Rose.
Former Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag has been reportedly considered to be appointed as the next head coach of RB Leipzig. The Bundesliga side has been struggling across all competitions under current manager Marco Rose, and the Leipzig officials are in hunt for a new coach.
Ten Hag was sacked by Manchester United in October 2024 after a series of distressing performances and he has not taken up any job since then. Now the Dutch coach has emerged as a strong candidate to sit in the dugout of RB Leipzig as the new head coach.
The scenario
Marco Rose is under immense pressure at Leipzig.
Pressure is mounting on current Leipzig manager Marco Rose following RB Leipzig's poor display in the UEFA Champions League and Bundesliga. Leipzig is currently positioned 34th in the 36-team league phase, losing all five matches they played in the UCL this season. They are currently 4th in the Bundesliga table with 21 points in 12 matches but it is not very convincing for Marco Rose.
Leipzig were on a 6-match winless streak since their second-round win by 4-2 in DFB Pokal against St. Pauli in October 2024. The club lost decisively to Dortmund, Hoffenheim, and Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, and fell to Celtic and Inter Milan in both UCL matches. They only managed to bag one point after their goalless draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach on 9 November 2024.
However, Leipzig thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt by 3-0 in the DFB Pokal Round of 16 last night to progress to the next round which has brought a lifeline for Rose. Leipzig will face Holstein Kiel in the Bundesliga later this week and they will face Aston Villa in the UEFA Champions League next week. Without any further development, both these matches will be very crucial for Rose and the German coach may try his best to save his job.
The shortlisted candidates
Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was appointed the Global Strategist for Red Bull Football Group. Klopp will oversee the football operations across the clubs under Red Bull Football Group which are RB Leipzig, RB Salzburg, RB Bragatino, and RB New York. There is a list of potential successors of Marco Rose and the next coach's name will be finalized by Jurgen Klopp, although he will start his tenure on 1 January 2025.
🚨 Jurgen Klopp joins The Red Bull Group as new Global Head of Soccer, coordinating all the clubs including RB Leipzig, Salzburg and more.
Klopp will advise all the clubs on transfers/strategy from January 1, 2025.
Erik Ten Hag is reportedly the frontrunner for the job. The former Manchester United boss won two trophies at United but he is mostly respected for the construction of a feared Ajax side that reached the UCL semifinals in the 2018-19 season.
According to Sky Germany, Roger Schmidt is another potential candidate for the job. The 57-year-old coach previously managed RB Leipzig's counterpart RB Salzburg and he was sacked by Benfica in August 2024.
According to BILD, David Baum is also on the shortlist. Baum is currently the academy manager of RB Leipzig. The 45-year-old German coach previously managed German sides such as Augsburg and Schalke 04 and German national team age group teams.
Arsenal vs Manchester United Premier League 2024-25 Highlights | Arsenal hand Ruben Amorim his first defeat as United coach with a 2-0 win
Get the highlights of the epic Premier League 2024-25 clash of Arsenal vs Manchester United as Arsenal handed Ruben Amorim his first defeat as Manchester United coach with a 2-0 win.
Hello and welcome to another Premier League LIVE coverage brought to you by Sportz Point. Tonight, we will be covering the epic encounter between Arsenal and Manchester United at the iconic Emirates Stadium in London.
What to expect?
Manchester United somehow have reignited themselves under their new charismatic coach Ruben Amorim while Arsenal looking to catch Liverpool at the top of the table to stay in the title race. As both teams have plenty to win and even more to lose, this Arsenal vs Manchester United match becomes more interesting for the fans and viewers.
"I take full responsibility for it": Kylian Mbappe shares message following Real Madrid's defeat against Athletic Bilbao
Kylian Mbappe has shared a message on Instagram taking responsibility for Real Madrid's defeat against Athletic Bilbao in LaLiga last night. Mbappe missed a penalty to spoil an early equalizer.
Kylian Mbappe has issued an apologetic statement on Instagram claiming responsibility for Real Madrid's frustrating 1-2 defeat against Athletic Bilbao in LalIga last night. Bilbao keeper Julen Agirrezabala saved Mbappe's attempt from the penalty spot in the 68th minute, ruining a huge chance for Madrid to grab an equalizer. Following the defeat, Mbappe posted a message to the fans on Instagram to convey an apology.
Real Madrid spoiled a golden opportunity to decrease the points gap between them and league-leaders Barcelona, who are currently atop with 37 points in 16 matches. Real Madrid has accumulated 33 points so far, playing one game less than their eternal rivals.
🔚 FINAL I GOOOOOAAAAAAZEEEEEEEEEN!
Enorme victoria del Athletic sobre el @realmadrid en un auténtico partidazo en San Mamés.
The match against Athletic Bilbao has been a rollercoaster ride for Los Blancos, as Kylian Mbappe's early goal was ruled out for offside in the 12th minute. Both teams failed to produce any goal in the first half. Alejandro Remiro scored in the 53rd minute to hand Bilbao the lead. 15 minutes later, Kylian Mbappe took the penalty in search of the equalizer but Julen Agirrezabala came out on top to deny his strike. Jude Bellingham found the equalizer in the 78th minute of the game, but all their efforts remained unfruitful as Gorka Guruzeta scored the winning goal for Bilbao, only two minutes after Bellingham found the net.
Real Madrid have already faced 5 defeats across all competitions this season, compared to their two defeats in the whole 2023-24 season. Athletic Bilbao has also found the winning ways against Real Madrid since March of 2015.
Mbappe's woes continue
(Image Credit | FotMoB)
What should have been a dream take-off, turned into a dreadful dream for Kylian Mbappe. The French superstar has struggled to find his form for the Los Blancos. Although he has scored 10 goals in 20 games across all competitions, it does not equal or surpass the calibre he once provided in PSG and France shirts.
This penalty miss against Athletic is Mbappe's second missed penalty in his Real Madrid career, while the first one came last week against Liverpool in Madrid's Champions League outing. On the other hand, Mbappe found the in the 12th minute but the flag was up for offside. Mbappe has been caught offside 22 times so far this season including last night!
However, these lackluster and inconsistent performances from Kylian Mbappe since the start of this season have taken a toll on his mental health. According to L'Equipe's reports in November 2024, Kylian Mbappe has been dealing with a psychological problem and emotionally devastated. Antoine Simonneau, a correspondent for 'L'Equipe' in Madrid, revealed to Carrusel Deportivo that Mbappe is the focus of many people’s anger in France.
Mbappe also faced an unpleasant experience while dealing with France's national team coach Didier Deschamps. Deschamps dropped Mbappe from France's squad for their UEFA Nations League clashes against Israel and Italy in November due to his poor form.
However, Mbappe has issued a message via his Instagram story and offered hope for the fans. He said:
"Bad result. A big mistake in a match where every detail counts. I take FULL responsibility for it. A difficult moment but it’s the best time to change this situation and show WHO I AM”.
Ancelotti backs Mbappe
Real Madrid gaffer Carlo Ancelotti has expressed his confidence in Mbappe. However, he admitted that the French superstar has yet to showcase his utmost potential.
"He is at a lot more than just 1% (of his potential), but he's not at his best," Ancelotti told a press conference.
"However, we have to give him time to adapt (to Real Madrid). He has scored 10 goals and is working hard to improve and to do better.
"I haven't spoken to him yet. It was a complicated, even, hard-fought, competitive game. We missed a penalty... I don't evaluate a player's game because of a missed penalty... sometimes you score and sometimes you miss. Obviously, he's sad, disappointed, but we have to keep going."
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