Champions League knockout round play-off ties & last-16 fixtures: Man City face mammoth Real Madrid or Bayern Munich clash after surviving Brugge scare, but what's next for Arsenal, Liverpool & Barcelona?

The Premier League title holders entered the final round of group stage fixtures in danger of missing out on the knockout stages completely. Going a goal down at home to Club Brugge piled even more pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side, but they recovered to prevail 3-1 and keep themselves in the hunt for European glory.

City were able to sneak into the top 24, but now face an arduous route to the final. The likes of Real, Bayern, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus also missed out on top-eight finishes and automatic qualification for the last 16.

As Manchester City finished 22nd in the Champions League table, they will face one of the teams that ended in 11th and 12th place – which were Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively. Whichever side they avoid will tackle Scottish champions Celtic, after they claimed 21st spot. There is also the potential for AC Milan, with USMNT stars Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah in their ranks, to face Juventus and for PSG to line up against Monaco.

Premier League giants Liverpool and Arsenal do not need to concern themselves with the play-off round. Arne Slot’s side claimed top spot in the group stage – dropping their only points on the final matchday – while the Gunners finished third. Liverpool will face either PSG, Monaco, Brest or Benfica in the last 16, while Arsenal are waiting to discover whether they will take on Milan, Juventus, PSV or Feyenoord. Whoever Liverpool avoid, La Liga heavyweights Barcelona – who finished second – will add to their schedule, while Aston Villa are looking at one of Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Brugge or Sporting.

The play-off round draw will take place on Friday January 31. The seeded teams – those finishing between ninth and 16th – will have the second leg of their play-off ties at home. The games will take place on February 11/12 and 18/19. The top eight sides in the table must wait until February 21 before discovering their last-16 opponents, as a path to the final is mapped out.