Chelsea's Champions League Journey Mapped Out After Knockout Draw
Chelsea Football Club has discovered their potential pathway to the Champions League final following the official draw for the tournament's knockout stages. Under manager Liam Rosenior, the Blues secured automatic qualification to the last-16 after a decisive away victory at Napoli ensured a top-eight finish in the league phase.
This marks Chelsea's return to the Champions League knockout rounds for the first time since the 2022/23 season, where they advanced to the quarter-finals before being eliminated by Real Madrid. The team now harbors ambitions to progress even further this campaign, aiming to add a third Champions League title to their illustrious history.
Navigating the Knockout Stages: Chelsea's Challenging Route
Chelsea will face defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the last-16. PSG narrowly advanced through their play-off against Monaco with a 5-4 aggregate victory, setting up a formidable early test for the Blues.
Should Chelsea overcome PSG, they would meet either Liverpool or Galatasaray in the quarter-finals. Liverpool and Galatasaray previously clashed in the league phase, with Galatasaray securing a 1-0 home win. A Liverpool victory would create an all-English quarter-final, reminiscent of the 2008 semi-finals where Chelsea triumphed over Liverpool in a two-legged affair.
Potential Semi-Final Opponents and Final Showdown
If Chelsea advances past the quarter-finals, they would enter the semi-finals where potential opponents include Real Madrid, Manchester City, Atalanta, or Bayern Munich. Real Madrid and Manchester City are set to face each other in the last-16, continuing their modern rivalry, while Bayern Munich, after a dramatic comeback against Borussia Dortmund, will confront Atalanta.
Chelsea's projected path to the final includes:
- Last-16: Paris Saint-Germain
- Quarter-finals: Liverpool
- Semi-finals: Bayern Munich
- Final: Arsenal
Champions League Knockout Phase Schedule
The fixture dates for the knockout stages are as follows:
- Last 16: March 10/11 and March 17/18
- Quarter-finals: April 7/8 and April 14/15
- Semi-finals: April 28/29 and May 5/6
- Final: May 30 in Budapest
Chelsea's journey through the Champions League promises high-stakes matches against some of Europe's elite clubs, with each round presenting a significant challenge as they pursue continental glory.
