Chelsea have learned their Champions League last-16 opponents following the conclusion of the knockout play-offs. The Blues, who finished sixth in the league phase, will face Paris Saint-Germain, the holders, after the French side overcame Monaco in the play-off round.
Chelsea secured automatic qualification for the last 16 with a dramatic 3-2 win at Napoli on the final matchday, coming from behind thanks to a second-half brace from Joao Pedro and an influential performance from substitute Cole Palmer. That result lifted them to sixth in the final table, ensuring they avoided the play-offs alongside fellow English sides Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City.
PSG, who won the Champions League for the first time last season with a 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the final, were the biggest name to drop into the play-offs after failing to finish in the top eight. They beat Monaco 3-2 in the first leg and, after a tense second leg, won 2-1 to secure a 5-3 aggregate victory. This is the second consecutive year PSG have eliminated domestic rivals in the play-offs, having beaten Brest 10-0 on aggregate last season.
Chelsea, who have not reached the quarter-finals since 2022/23, will face a tough test against the reigning champions. The Blues' league phase campaign included a memorable 3-0 win over Barcelona and a thrashing of Ajax, but also defeats at Bayern Munich and Atalanta under former head coach Enzo Maresca.
