EUR-EKA

THE brand new Champions League league phase is over and we now know who will be facing who in the next round.

All four of the English clubs have managed to advance from the first round with Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa booking their place in the last 16 without the need for a play.

Manchester City, however, will have a huge challenge as they will face on one of Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in a play-off round in February to try and earn a spot in the last 16 proper.

Pep Guardiola’s side will learn which of those two teams they face in a draw taking place on January 31.

The Cityzens narrowly squeezed into the play-offs with a 3-1 comeback win over Club Brugge that pushed them into 22nd.

They had looked down and out when trailing 1-0 at half-time, with Pep Guardiola back scratching his head in frustration, but scrambled back to book their spot.

However, a poor league phase has now led to a nightmare draw.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Villa will all have to wait to find out who advances to the last 16 from the play-off round to discover their opponents for their clashes.

But until then, the final league table allows us to look at the four potential opponents each side would face.

Arsenal’s 3rd placed finish means they will face one of AC Milan, Juventus, PSV or Feyenoord in a tricky tie.

The Gunners beat Girona 2-1 in Spain to earn their third placed spot on a night where youngster Ethan Nwaneri shone once again and loanee keeper Neto had a nightmare debut.

Liverpool lost their first game of the competition in a 3-2 defeat to PSV that saw 18-year-old Amara Nallo sent off just four minutes after being subbed on.

But regardless of their defeat, the Reds still topped the table and their first placed finish hasn’t done them any huge favours as they could still take on PSG, Benfica, AS Monaco or Brest in the last 16.

For Villa, they snuck into the top eight by the skin of their teeth in 8th place after an enthralling 4-2 victory over Celtic at Villa Park.

Their lower finish means they will face higher-seeded sides, and in this instance that will be one of Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting Lisbon or Club Brugge.

Man City know their route too, which means if they do advance past Bayern or Real Madrid in the play-offs, then they will face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.

The overly complicated format, also known as the Swiss model, has thrown up some other potential heavyweight clashes across the competition.

Scottish giants Celtic will face whoever of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich isn’t drawn to face Man City in a horror tie.

While there’s potential last derby 16 ties between Inter Milan and AC Milan as well as Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

POSSIBLE PLAYOFF AND LAST 16 OPPONENTS:

AS Monaco or Brest will face Paris St Germain or Benfica in the playoffs. The winners will meet either Liverpool or Barcelona in the Round of 16.

Sporting or Club Brugge will face Atalanta or Borussia Dortmund in the playoffs. The winners will meet either Lille or Aston Villa in the Round of 16.

Celtic or Manchester City will face Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the playoffs. The winners will meet either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the Round of 16.

Feyenoord or Juventus will face AC Milan or PSV Eindhoven in the playoffs. The winners will meet either Arsenal or Inter Milan in the Round of 16. — Sun.