European heavyweights are set to collide once again after the UEFA Champions League draw for the Round of 16 produced a string of blockbuster fixtures to be played.
The standout tie sees Spanish giants Real Madrid renew their rivalry with English champions Manchester City in what will be the fifth consecutive knockout tie meeting and sixth clash in the competition over the past seven seasons.
Their recent encounters have delivered drama, goals and controversy in equal measure, and this latest chapter promises to be no different. The clubs have already played each other this season, with Pep Guardiola’s City winning 2-1 in Madrid in December during the league phase, in which the Premier League club finished eighth and Real ninth.
Madrid, record 15-time European champions, continue to treat the competition as their natural habitat while City remain determined to assert their dominance on the continental stage.
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Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain will face Chelsea in another eye-catching contest.
PSG, who lifted the trophy last season, are aiming to defend their crown, but Chelsea’s pedigree in European knockout football ensures they will be formidable opponents over two legs.
Their last encounter came in July’s Club World Cup final in the United States, when Chelsea won 3-0 against last season’s European champions.
Premier League leaders Arsenal, who topped the group phase with a flawless record of eight wins from eight matches, have been drawn against German champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Arsenal’s perfect group campaign marked them out as one of the tournament favourites, yet Leverkusen’s tactical discipline and attacking quality could pose a stern test.
Elsewhere, Newcastle United will take on Barcelona after the Magpies booked their place in the last 16 with an emphatic 9-3 aggregate victory over Qarabag in the play-offs.
Newcastle’s return to the latter stages of Europe’s elite competition has been one of the stories of the season, but facing Barcelona represents a significant step up in class.
Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt are appearing in the knockout rounds for the first time and have been handed a tie against Portugal’s Sporting CP. It is a historic moment for the Scandinavian side who will be eager to continue their fairytale run.
In other ties, Liverpool meet Turkish giants Galatasaray, while Tottenham Hotspur face a stern examination against Atletico Madrid.
German powerhouse Bayern Munich, who finished runners-up to Arsenal in the group stage, will battle Italy’s Atalanta for a quarter-final berth.
The last-16 ties will be played across March 10/11 and 17/18. The quarterfinals are scheduled for April 7/8 and 14/15, followed by the semi-finals on April 28/29 and May 5/6. The final will take place on May 30.
With six English clubs still in contention and several former champions in the mix, this season’s knockout phase is shaping up to be one of the most compelling in recent memory.
UEFA Champions League draw (Round of 16)
PSG v Chelsea
Real Madrid v Manchester City
Newcastle United v Barcelona
Bodo/Glimt v Sporting
Galatasaray v Liverpool
Atalanta v Bayern Munich
Atletico Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur
Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal
Other dates
Quarterfinals: April 7/8 and 14/15
Semifinals: April 28/29 and May 5/6
Final: May 30
