Real Madrid against Manchester City in the Champions League is the accidental blockbuster of the new knockout playoffs round that starts Tuesday. The past two title winners surprisingly finished mid-table in the new 36-team standings format that ended in January.

The UEFA Champions League on Friday conducted the draw for the knockout stage, setting up the bracket for European soccer's biggest annual tournament. At the confederation's headquarters in Switzerland,

Manchester City scored three second half goals to come back from the brink of elimination and advance to the UEFA Champions League’s inaugural knockout round playoffs following a thrilling 3-1 victory over Club Brugge on Wednesday night.