Newcastle United Set for Champions League Playoff Against Qarabag
Newcastle United has been paired with Qarabag in the upcoming knockout stage of the Champions League.
Challenging Journey Ahead
Eddie Howe’s squad will embark on a journey exceeding 3,000 miles to Azerbaijan for the first leg, having secured 12th place in the group stage of one of Europe’s premier tournaments. This position means they are not among the top eight teams that directly advance to the round of 16, a group that includes all five other teams from the Premier League.
The initial matchup is scheduled for either February 16 or 17, with the return leg taking place at St James’ Park on February 24 or 25.
Other Matchups in the Playoffs
In a notable matchup, Paris Saint-Germain will compete against Monaco, consistent with the same seeding as Newcastle and Qarabag.
Potential Future Opponents
Should Newcastle overcome Qarabag, they will face either Chelsea or Barcelona in the round of 16.
Overview of the Champions League Playoff Matches
Highlights from the playoff draw include:
- Borussia Dortmund vs. Atalanta
- Bayer Leverkusen vs. Olympiacos
- Galatasaray vs. Juventus
- Club Brugge vs. Atlético Madrid
- Benfica vs. Real Madrid
- Bodo/Glimt vs. Inter Milan
The victors from these eight contests will join the top eight teams from the group phase in the last 16. These teams include Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP, and Manchester City.
Qarabag’s Recent Performance
In their last league phase match, Qarabag suffered a heavy 6-0 defeat to Liverpool. However, they displayed resilience earlier in the season by managing a 2-2 draw against Chelsea.
