Real Madrid's route to the Champions League 2024/25 final | OneFootball

Real Madrid will have to work hard if they are to retain their Champions League trophy this season.

After an underwhelming league phase sent them into the play-offs, many felt Madrid's time in the competition could have ended there, but now confidence is sky high following an emphatic victory over Manchester City.

After Friday's last 16 draw, here's a look at Madrid's path to the final.

Real Madrid's last 16 opponents

A Madrid derby is on the cards / Denis Doyle/GettyImages

Things don't get much easier for Madrid, who have the small matter of two Madrid derbies to contest in the last 16.

Carlo Ancelotti's side will be at home for the first leg against Atletico Madrid, who will have the advantage of a feverish Metropolitan crowd for the return fixture.

Real Madrid's potential quarter-final opponents

Arsenal could await in the quarter-final / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

If Madrid make it out of the derby, they will likely bump into Arsenal, who are heavy favourites to beat PSV Eindhoven in their last 16 tie.

With all the transfer speculation linking Gunners centre-back William Saliba with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, the narrative for this one almost writes itself.

Real Madrid's potential semi-final opponents

Madrid may have to stop Salah in the semis / PAUL ELLIS/GettyImages

Another English heavyweight could be lying in wait in the semi-finals. Liverpool are among the favourites to win this entire tournament, but they're not the only threat in this side of the bracket as the Reds have a last 16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain to look forward to.

Liverpool won when they faced Madrid in the group stage earlier in the season, but Madrid had the last laugh when these two sides met in the 2017/18 and 2021/22 finals.

Club Brugge and Aston Villa are also among the possible opponents.

Real Madrid's potential final opponents

There could be a Clasico in the final / David Ramos/GettyImages

There is a mouthwatering possibility that the Champions League final could play host to El Clasico, with Barcelona among the favourites to emerge from a relatively simple side of the bracket which also includes Bayern Munich.

Madrid would be out for revenge against Barcelona, who have humiliated them twice already this season. Ancelotti's side fell 4-0 in La Liga and 5-2 in the Supercopa de Espana final. They are not due to meet again until May 11, just three weeks before the final of this competition.

While Barcelona and Bayern are the heavy favourites from this side of the bracket, there are six teams looking to cause an upset: Feyenoord, Inter, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Lille and Benfica.