Defending champions Real Madrid will renew their Champions League rivalry with 2023 winners Manchester City in a blockbuster knockout phase playoff tie after the two teams were pitted against each other in the draw held in Nyon on Friday.

The UEFA Champions League's first-ever league phase is over, and now, with the draw complete, the knockout stage outlook is now much clearer. Manchester City avoided disaster, Liverpool topped the league-phase table,

Manchester City will face holders Real Madrid in the Champions League play-offs. The teams who finished between ninth and 24th in the league phase of the tournament will play two-legged play-off ties on 11-12 and 18-19 February to decide who advances to the round of 16.

Title holder Real Madrid learned who it will face in the Champions League playoffs, and could meet in the last 16, after the draw was made early on Friday.

The UEFA Champions League is the pinnacle of European club football, and Real Madrid stands as its undisputed king with a record 14 titles. As the knockout stage unfolds, all eyes are on the Spanish giants to see if they can maintain their dominance.

It will be Real Madrid vs. Manchester City yet again in the Champions League — but never as early as this, and for the first time with a Kylian Mbappé vs. Erling Haaland matchup. Two heavyweights who struggled in the new eight-game league phase were the standout pairing Friday in the draw for the new knockout playoffs round.