This regulation is based on a condition that was added to the UEFA Champions League rules. The rule states that if teams that played each other in the league phase of the previous season are drawn against each other again in the same competition, with the same home team, they will not be able to be drawn against each other with the same home team in the next season.

Both teams enter the match on a high note, having won their previous games. Real Madrid defeated Valencia 4-0 on Saturday, while Liverpool beat Aston Villa 2-0. The match is expected to be intense, and it may be a farewell for the two teams for a while.