Nyon, Switzerland – The UEFA Champions League (UCL) last 16 draw, held on Friday in Nyon, Switzerland, has set the stage for a highly anticipated rekindling of rivalry between Manchester City and Real Madrid. This upcoming clash marks their sixth knockout meeting since the 2019/2020 UCL season, promising another heavyweight showdown. Manchester City previously edged the 15-time European champions 2-1 during December’s group stage clash.
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain are set to confront Chelsea in a repeat of last season’s heated Club World Cup final, which was won by the English side. Both teams have expressed confidence ahead of this eagerly awaited tie.
Premier League leaders Arsenal will face Bayer Leverkusen. Arsenal secured this matchup after topping their league phase with eight straight victories, successfully avoiding some of Europe’s biggest heavyweights in the draw.
Bayern Munich, who finished as runners-up in their group stage, will take on Atalanta. Atalanta notably eliminated Borussia Dortmund with a stoppage-time penalty during the playoffs, showcasing their formidable challenge.
Elsewhere in the draw, Newcastle United will meet Barcelona once again, adding another layer of history to their European encounters. Liverpool is slated to battle Galatasaray. Struggling Tottenham Hotspur will face Atletico Madrid, while Norway’s giant-killers, Bodo/Glimt, are set to square off against Sporting Lisbon.
The full Last-16 Fixtures are: Real Madrid v Manchester City; Bodo/Glimt v Sporting; PSG v Chelsea; Newcastle v Barcelona; Galatasaray v Liverpool; Atletico v Tottenham; Atalanta v Bayern; and Leverkusen v Arsenal.
That the quarter-final and semi-final pairings were also confirmed during the draw, hinting at potential blockbuster clashes as Europe’s elite clubs continue their pursuit of Champions League glory.
