Round of 16
The round of sixteen is the first knockout stage of the main bracket. The top eight clubs from the league phase are joined by the winners of the playoff, and the sixteen sides are drawn into eight two-legged ties.
Why it matters
It matters because it marks the start of the knockout. From this round the competition is decided by ties rather than a table, and every club must survive two matches to reach the quarter-finals.
Where it is used
It is used immediately after the playoff. The eight seeded clubs meet the eight playoff winners in ties played over two legs, and the winners advance to the quarter-finals of the competition.
How to read it
Read the round of sixteen as the narrowing of the field. Sixteen clubs enter and eight leave, and the seeding keeps the strongest apart, so the round sets the shape of the rest of the knockout.
What it means
the first knockout round of the last sixteen clubs
Round of 16 is one of the working terms of the competition. This entry explains it as a mechanism that holds true from season to season, so it can be read on its own or alongside the other entries in the glossary of the tournament.
- The first round of the main bracket.
- Sixteen clubs take part.
- Top eight joined by playoff winners.
- Ties played over two legs.
- Winners reach the quarter-finals.
- The field narrows from sixteen to eight.