UEFA Champions League 2024/25: 10 Players to watch out for in Playoff Round

In this article, we present to you our pick of ten players to watch out for during the Playoff Round of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League (UCL).

After a long and hectic league phase, 24 teams remain in the newly-formatted UCL, with the top eight already in the Round of 16, leaving the rest to battle it out in the Playoff Round for the other eight spots. 

With the Playoff Round set to kick off this midweek, here are ten players to watch out for in particular for this round of fixtures. 

#10 Malik Tillman

The 22-year-old American has been in sensational form ever since joining PSV Eindhoven from Bayern Munich last summer, running circles around defenders with his impressive ability to drop a shoulder and run with the ball at his feet.

The US international has produced some quality performances in his short PSV career. Apart from his technical ability, his pace, vision, and long-range shooting have turned him into a real force. 

Tillman already has seven goals and one assist in the Eredivisie this season to go along with his three goals and two assists in six UCL appearances, making him a real threat at the heart of the PSV attack. 

#9 Jamal Musiala

Bayern sensation Jamal Musiala is having a wonderful season under Vincent Kompany. The 21-year-old already has 22 goal contributions in just 28 appearances for the Bavarian club, including two goals and three assists in the Champions League. 

Playing in the #8 or #10 slot for Bayern, Musiala is one of the main creative forces in this side, and his finishing has improved considerably in recent times as well. While his close control and trickery have led to numerous moments of brilliance, he is developing a poacher’s instinct inside the box, which makes him an even bigger threat. 

#8 Achraf Hakimi

One of the best right-backs in European football at the moment, Achraf Hakimi has been producing consistent performances throughout the season despite Paris Saint-Germain’s lack of consistency on the European front. The quick and dynamic wide operator has been at the heart of PSG’s attacking play, having already contributed with a goal and three assists of his own in the Champions League. 

Against what will be a low block, with Brest likely to sit back against the star studded Parisians, Hakimi will be crucial to both their attacking phase and defensive transitions. 

#7 Christian Pulisic

The 26-year-old US international has been in superb form this season. Pulisic contributed an impressive 26 goal contributions in 50 games in all competitions last season and has only improved his output for the 2024/25 campaign with 19 goal contributions in just 29 appearances. He has rediscovered his best football this season, which is evident from the number of times he gets into dangerous positions. 

Playing as a traditional #10, Pulisic often drifts out to the right flank and plays more like a winger, with most of his goal contributions arriving as he drifts in centrally.

Facing Feyenoord in the Playoff Round, Milan will face some joy in the centre and right-hand side of the pitch, areas where the Dutch team have been struggling recently. 

#6 Ousmane Dembélé

Ousmane Dembélé has emerged this season as the player to watch out for in Luis Enrique’s young PSG side. The 27-year-old, having battled injuries throughout his career, has been showcasing some of his best football over the past year.

This season, the France international has already amassed 25 goal contributions in 26 appearances across all competitions, with five of them coming in the Champions League. 

Dembélé’s electrifying pace, quick dribbling, and improved finishing were all on display against Manchester City and VfB Stuttgart, with a hattrick against the latter helping secure PSG their knockout qualification. He has already scored five goals against Brest in Ligue 1 this season, so it’s difficult to look past Dembélé as the standout player for this encounter. 

Also read: UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Playoffs Preview and Predictions 

#5 Charles De Ketelaere

This young Belgium international has re-emerged this season as a promising prospect while playing up front for Atalanta. A versatile forward who can play as a false nine, winger, or attacking midfielder, the 23-year-old’s all-round play makes it hard for opposition defenders to keep him quiet. 

De Ketelaere is a light-footed forward with good dribbling skills and a physical presence. Moreover, his ability to play progressive passes and thread through balls makes him a nightmare for defenders. He already has four goals and five assists in the Champions League this season, and it won’t surprise many if he adds to the tally in the two legs against Club Brugge. 

#4 Erling Haaland

Despite Manchester City’s troubles on both domestic and European fronts, their 24-year-old Norwegian centre-forward has been banging in goals throughout the season. Although one might argue that the sheer volume of his goals has taken a hit this season, managing to score 25 goals across 33 appearances is no mean feat. 

Everybody knows what Man City have been going through, though four new additions this January transfer window means Pep Guardiola might find some answers to his questions. That said, beating Real Madrid in the Champions League knockouts is the ultimate challenge nowadays, such is the aura of the 15-time UCL champions. But if City want to stand any chance of progressing to the last 16, getting goals out of their talisman will be key. 

#3 Viktor Gyökeres

One of the most sought-after strikers in world football right now, Sporting’s Viktor Gyökeres has been an integral part of the club since joining in 2023. A clinical finisher with intelligent movement inside the box, the 26-year-old Sweden international has 34 goals in 33 appearances this season. 

A lethal finisher, who uses his physicality and aerial ability to hold up play effectively and create opportunities for his teammates, Gyökeres has been a menace for defenders across Europe. Playing against Borussia Dortmund, who despite their attacking prowess are a bit leaky in the back, the Swede will have his moments to decide the tie for his team. 

#2 Serhou Guirassy

After taking the Bundesliga by storm during the 2023/24 season with 28 goals in 28 league appearances for VfB Stuttgart, Serhou Guirassy now finds himself wearing the black and yellow of Borussia Dortmund. Although the 28-year-old Guinea international hasn’t been able to replicate his league performances from last season, he is currently the leading goalscorer in the Champions League alongside Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski (9). 

Playing as a poacher in this Dortmund side, Guirassy’s speed, movement and aggression have seen him become the focal point of attack and enable his team to pinning the opposition defenders back and progress the ball into dangerous areas. His ability to run in behind the defence will be key for BVB over two legs against Sporting. 

#1 Vinícius Júnior

Despite Kylian Mbappé joining the club last summer, Vinícius Júnior has maintained his status as the most influential player in this current Real Madrid side. The Brazilian winger has posted more than 40 goal contributions in each of his last three seasons at the club. This season, he has already amassed 26 goal contributions in just 28 appearances across all competitions. 

Vinícius’s explosive pace, exceptional dribbling skills, and flair for the spectacular make him a constant threat to opposition defenders. Playing in the left wing, his ability to beat defenders with ease and create goalscoring opportunities is unparalleled. His direct style of play will be crucial against a side like Man City, who are struggling in transitions.