Despite their longstanding dominance, both teams have had their struggles in the competition's new format, which expanded to 36 teams this season.

After a thrilling finish to the UEFA Champions League's first-ever league phase, the competition will gear up to hold its inaugural knockout phase playoffs with Friday's draw. The teams that finished from ninth through 24th in the league phase will take part in the knockout phase playoffs,

The UEFA Champions League 2024-25 playoffs are set, introducing a revamped format that replaces the traditional group stage with a league phase, ensuring high-intensity matchups from the start.  Top European clubs will now battle in a knockout-style playoff round to secure a place in the Round of 16,