Round of 16 in the Champions League: Are Barca, PSG, and Real caught in a deadly maze?

The Round of 16 in the Champions League might unleash a series of intense battles, with play-off outcomes potentially placing top European clubs into so-called “death brackets.”

The conclusion of the Champions League group stage has set the stage for a knockout phase full of unpredictability. Looking at the projected brackets, fans have every reason to worry about a genuine “group of death,” where major clubs could face off as early as the Round of 16. The play-off draw will determine the fate of numerous title contenders.

Barcelona stands among those facing significant risk. The Catalan team is very likely to encounter Paris Saint-Germain, who dropped into the play-offs after finishing 11th. Although PSG is inconsistent, they still possess squad depth and experience enough to turn their matchup with Barca into a tense, high-stakes battle.

PSG has no fallback after dropping points in the final match against Newcastle. Having to play in the play-offs means they face a series of “giants.” If they advance to meet Barca or Chelsea, the Ligue 1 side will enter a true survival series, where a single lapse in focus could end their European ambitions.

The most anticipated scenario is the potential reunion of Real Madrid and Manchester City. Following a chaotic defeat to Benfica, Real has fallen into a position requiring them to play in the play-offs, raising the chance of an early showdown with Man City. This could be seen as an “early final,” where two recent Champions League powerhouses must eliminate each other in the Round of 16.

Chelsea is not exempt from the storm. The English club might face PSG again, recreating the Club World Cup final but in a completely different context. If this happens, it will be a contest between two youthful, fast, and ambitious squads, yet tactically fraught with challenges.

While many giants face risky brackets, Arsenal is regarded as the Premier League team with a “smoother” path thanks to their perfect record in the group stage. Conversely, Liverpool faces a tough challenge, potentially meeting experienced opponents like Juventus or Atletico Madrid, promising a harsh Round of 16 where resilience will be decisive.