The recent UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs showcased thrilling first-leg matches on February 11 and 12, 2025. Teams are now gearing up for the return legs scheduled for February 18 and 19, 2025. The second legs will see a reversal in fixtures and home/away designations from the initial matches.
Let’s delve into a recap of the games and reactions from players and coaches:
1. In the match between Brest and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), PSG dominated with a 3-0 win. Vitinha and Ousmane Dembélé were key scorers for PSG, putting Brest in a challenging position for the return leg.
2. Juventus secured a 2-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven, with Samuel Mbangula’s late goal making the difference. PSV will aim to capitalize on their away goal advantage in the return leg.
3. Real Madrid claimed a thrilling 3-2 win over Manchester City, setting up an intriguing second leg. Both teams will be eager to secure a spot in the next round.
4. Borussia Dortmund displayed a strong performance against Sporting CP, winning 3-0. Sporting CP faces an uphill battle in the return leg due to Dortmund’s solid home record.
5. Club Brugge emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over Atalanta, setting the stage for a closely contested second leg.
6. Benfica secured a 1-0 win over Monaco, who will need to score in the return leg to stay in the competition.
7. Bayern Munich defeated Celtic 2-1, but Celtic remains hopeful for a comeback in the second leg.
8. Feyenoord clinched a vital 1-0 win over AC Milan, with the Italian side needing a strong performance in the return leg to progress.
These first-leg encounters have set the stage for intense and decisive second-leg matches as teams battle it out for a spot in the Round of 16.