The Champions League route to 2025 final is set, and the three remaining English teams — Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa — now know the path they must navigate to reach the Allianz Arena in Munich this May.
With the round of 16 ties kicking off this week, let’s break down each club’s potential journey through the knockout stages and who they might meet along the way.
⚽ Liverpool’s Route to the Champions League Final
Round of 16: Liverpool vs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
- First leg: March 5 (Away)
- Second leg: March 12 (Home)
Liverpool topped the league phase table and were rewarded with a last-16 clash against PSG, who advanced after defeating Brest in the knockout play-offs.
Quarter-final potential opponents:
- If Liverpool overcome PSG, they could face either Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals.
Semi-final route:
- The semi-final could set up a mouth-watering clash against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich — two European giants with a rich Champions League history.
Final:
- Should Liverpool go all the way, they’ll be heading to the Allianz Arena in Munich on May 31, 2025.
🔥 Arsenal’s Champions League Path to Allianz Arena
Round of 16: Arsenal vs PSV Eindhoven
- First leg: March 4 (Away)
- Second leg: March 11 (Home)
Arsenal’s solid group stage performance sees them square off against familiar foes PSV, a team they faced in the group phase as well.
Quarter-final potential opponents:
- Progress past PSV, and Arsenal could lock horns with either Inter Milan or RB Leipzig in the last eight.
Semi-final route:
- The semi-finals may present a showdown with Barcelona or Manchester City — a high-stakes clash that could test Arsenal’s title credentials.
Final:
- If Arsenal make it to Munich, it would mark their first Champions League final since 2006.
🏆 Aston Villa’s Road to Champions League Glory
Round of 16: Aston Villa vs Club Brugge
- First leg: March 5 (Away)
- Second leg: March 12 (Home)
Making their long-awaited return to the Champions League knockout stages, Aston Villa face Club Brugge in the round of 16 — a tie they’ll feel confident about.
Quarter-final potential opponents:
- Should Villa get past Brugge, they could face a blockbuster all-English quarter-final against Liverpool — a clash that would light up the competition.
Semi-final route:
- The semi-finals might pit Villa against Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund, both tricky but beatable opponents.
Final:
- Victory would take them to the Allianz Arena to fight for European glory on May 31, 2025.
📅 Key Champions League Knockout Dates
- Round of 16: March 4/5 (first legs) & March 11/12 (second legs)
- Quarter-finals: April 8/9 (first legs) & April 15/16 (second legs)
- Semi-finals: April 29/30 (first legs) & May 6/7 (second legs)
- Final: May 31, 2025 — Allianz Arena, Munich
👀 All-English Quarter-Final Clash?
One of the most intriguing scenarios could be Liverpool vs Aston Villa in the quarter-finals — an all-Premier League showdown on Europe’s biggest stage.
Arsenal, meanwhile, might run into Manchester City or Barcelona in their quest for a historic final appearance.
🎯 Champions League Route to 2025 Final: What’s Next?
The Champions League route to 2025 final is anything but straightforward for Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa. With tough tests ahead, all three English clubs must overcome European powerhouses if they want to book a place in the Allianz Arena on May 31.
As the knockout rounds kick off, will we see an all-English final — or will Europe’s giants like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and PSG stand in their way?