What Happened
This week marked a significant moment in the UEFA Champions League as several teams secured their places in the knockout stage. Internazionale faced a challenging match against Bodø/Glimt, needing to overcome a 3-1 deficit. However, the Norwegian side emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, advancing to the next round. Meanwhile, Newcastle United triumphed over Qarabag with a 3-2 victory, ensuring their spot in the last 16 for the first time in club history. Bayer Leverkusen also progressed by eliminating Olympiacos.
Why It Matters
The advancement of these teams is crucial as the draw for the last 16 will determine their potential paths to the quarterfinals and semifinals. The draw is scheduled for February 27, and it will feature six Premier League teams among others. The seeded teams, including Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, will play their second leg at home, which could provide a significant advantage.
What’s Next
As the UEFA Champions League fixtures continue, teams will prepare for the upcoming draw, which will outline their potential matchups in the knockout rounds. Fans can watch the draw live on UEFA.com at 6 AM ET. The playoff round matches are still ongoing, with PSG and Galatasaray leading their respective ties, adding further excitement to the competition.