UEFA Champions League Playoffs Roundup

With all allotted slots filled, the stage is set for the Champions League proper.

Today, we'll a recap of the most interesting and notable matches that were played, things to look forward to, and the storylines that unfolded, with final results at the bottom.

Astana 4-3 Celtic
Ajer 26 og
Muzhikov 48
Twumasi 49, 69
Sinclair 34
Ntcham 80
Griffiths 90
An absolute goalfest ensued at Astana Arena, where the home side were able to end Celtic's 42-game unbeaten run. The Hoops are through on aggregate, but their lack of quality passing and defensive solidity will no doubt add to the worry lines on Brendan Rodgers' face.
Key Point
The final aggregate score of Astana 4-8 Celtic is the highest-scoring playoff tie in the history of the Champions League.

Sevilla 2-2 İstanbul Başakşehir
Escudero 52
Ben Yedder 75
Elia 17
Višća 83
Sevilla survived a late scare via an Emre Belözoğlu 90th-minute free kick which, dramatically, hit the post. Had it gone in, the Turkish minnows would have secured their maiden Champions League campaign, and would've slain one of football's biggest giants in the form of Sevilla.
Key Point
All three scorers from the first leg - Elia, Escudero, Ben Yedder - again found the net in this adrenaline-filled tie.

Nice 0-2 Napoli
Callejón 48
Insigne 89
From the get-go, Napoli looked to dominate this tie, and that they did. Even if the scoreline doesn't reflect the sheer dominance over the French outfit, it was a tactical masterpiece that was a joy to watch from kickoff to final whistle. Mauricio Sarri conducted his Neapolitan orchestra to perfection in a complete dismantling of the Nice squad.
Key Point
Having demonstrated their prowess against relatively weaker sides, it will be interesting to see if Napoli can rattle the bigger guns with their fluid, attacking football.

FCSB 1-5 Sporting CP
Júnior Morais 20
Doumbia 13
Acuña 60
Gelson Martins 64
Dost 75
Battaglia 88
With the sides even at half-time, the game looked like it could go either way. But as soon as the whistle sounded, Sporting put on the afterburners and ran rampant in a second-half that looked more like an attack vs defense drill than a football match.
Key Point
Consistency will be key if the Portuguese outfit will want to stay in the Champions League. They already have one of last season's top scorers in Bast Dost, and his performance in Bucharest should only be the beginning if they are to succeed this season.

Liverpool 4-2 Hoffenheim
Can 10, 21
Salah 18
Firmino 63
Uth 28
Wagner 79
Liverpool ran riot at Anfield against the side that were threatening to do just that a week before. Three goals in the opening 21 minutes broke the German side as the Reds took the game by it's neck. Hoffenheim wunder-coach Nagelsmann pulled no punches in his post-match interview,
"Today was patchwork. It had nothing to do with the groundwork. We weren't good, offensively or defensively."
Key Point
Liverpool have now won 12 and drawn 3 of their last 15 games at home against German opposition. Which says a LOT about the atmosphere of your stadium, especially considering how intimidating Bundesliga stadiums already are. Can Jurgen Klopp gegenpress his way to Kiev?

København 2-1 Qarabağ
Santander 45
Pavlović 66
Ndlovu 63
Not the most glamorous of playoff matches, it is definitely one of the most significant. After a tight affair, Qarabağ go through on away goals - becoming the FIRST EVER Azerbaijani side to make it to the group stages of the Champions League!
Key Point
Qarabağ will definitely reap the financial and social benefits of making it into the Big One, but will they have enough quality to win a couple of games? Could we be witnessing football's greatest fairytale run? Probably not, but that's what makes it so exciting.

Final Agregate Scores
Astana 4-8 Celtic
Maribor 2-2 H. Beer Sheva
Nice 0-4 Napoli
Rijeka 1-3 Olympiacos
Sevilla 4-3 İstanbul Başakşehir
Slavia Praha 0-2 APOEL
FCSB 1-5 Sporting CP
CSKA Moskva 3-0 Young Boys
København 2-2 Qarabağ
Liverpool 6-3 Hoffenheim

I'll be back with predictions for the Group Stages, but until then...

Stay Passionate!