After the playoff verdict, it’s time for the draw of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
The only French club still in the race, Paris Saint-Germain, faces a tough challenge against Chelsea FC.
Another explosive matchup is on the horizon: a new chapter in the European rivalry between Real Madrid and Manchester City, a clash that promises fireworks.
The sixteen contenders for the UEFA Champions League title are now known.
Already qualified for the Round of 16 after the group stage, Arsenal FC, Bayern Munich, Liverpool FC, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea FC, Sporting CP, FC Barcelona, and Manchester City awaited their opponents.
They were joined by Real Madrid, Atalanta BC, Galatasaray SK, Newcastle United, Atlético de Madrid, Bodo/Glimt, Bayer Leverkusen, and the defending champion, Paris Saint-Germain.
Since last season and the introduction of the new UEFA Champions League format, the Round of 16 draw has lost some suspense. Each club could only face two potential opponents based on their ranking at the end of the group stage. It was just a matter of determining which side of the bracket the seeded teams would fall to shape the path to the final.
A Rocky Road for PSG
After a tough win against AS Monaco in the previous round, Paris Saint-Germain was torn between Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona. It will be Chelsea, for a rematch of the Club World Cup final held in the United States. After being thrashed 3-0 in that encounter, the Parisians are hungry for revenge.
But this draw is no gift. If they qualify, PSG could face Liverpool FC in the quarter-finals. And that’s not all: in the same half of the bracket are Real Madrid and Manchester City, who will clash once again, along with Atalanta BC and Bayern Munich. The road to the last four looks extremely challenging.
In the other half of the bracket, Arsenal FC seems to have a better draw against Bayer Leverkusen, with a potential quarter-final against the winner of Bodo/Glimt – Sporting CP. Meanwhile, Newcastle United will take on Barcelona, while Atlético de Madrid hosts Tottenham Hotspur.
The Round of 16 matches will be played on March 10-11 and 17-18.
Round of 16 Matchups
- Real Madrid – Manchester City
- Bodo/Glimt – Sporting CP
- Paris Saint-Germain – Chelsea FC
- Newcastle United – FC Barcelona
- Galatasaray SK – Liverpool FC
- Atlético de Madrid – Tottenham Hotspur
- Atalanta BC – Bayern Munich
- Bayer Leverkusen – Arsenal FC
Potential Quarter-Final Matchups
- Q1: PSG or Chelsea – Galatasaray or Liverpool
- Q2: Real Madrid or Manchester City – Atalanta or Bayern Munich
- Q3: Newcastle or FC Barcelona – Atlético de Madrid or Tottenham
- Q4: Bodo/Glimt or Sporting CP – Bayer Leverkusen or Arsenal
Potential Semi-Final Matchups
- Winner Q1 – Winner Q2
- Winner Q3 – Winner Q4
