ABUJA – Manchester City will rekindle their rivalry with Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) last 16 after Friday’s draw in Nyon, Switzerland.
Reports that this will be their sixth knockout meeting since the 2019/2020 UCL season.
Manchester City edged the 15-time European champions 2-1 during December’s group stage clash, setting the stage for another heavyweight showdown many observers have likened to a final.
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will confront Chelsea in a repeat of last season’s heated Club World Cup final won by the English side. Both teams expressed confidence ahead of the tie.
Premier League leaders Arsenal face Bayer Leverkusen after topping the league phase with eight straight victories to avoid Europe’s biggest heavyweights.
Bayern Munich, runners-up in the group stage, take on Atalanta, who eliminated Borussia Dortmund via a stoppage-time penalty in the playoffs.
Elsewhere, Newcastle United meet Barcelona again, while Liverpool battle Galatasaray.
Struggling Tottenham Hotspur face Atletico Madrid as Norway’s giant-killers Bodo/Glimt square off against Sporting Lisbon.
Last-16 Fixtures: Real Madrid v Manchester City; Bodo/Glimt v Sporting; PSG v Chelsea; Newcastle v Barcelona; Galatasaray v Liverpool; Atletico v Tottenham; Atalanta v Bayern; Leverkusen v Arsenal.
Reports that quarter-final and semi-final pairings were also confirmed, with potential blockbuster clashes awaiting as Europe’s elite chase Champions League glory.
Quarter-final pairings:
QF1: PSG/Chelsea v Galatasaray/Liverpool
QF2: Real Madrid/Man City v Atalanta/Bayern
QF3: Newcastle/Barcelona v Atletico/Tottenham
QF4: Bodo/Sporting v Leverkusen/Arsenal
SEMI-FINALS
Semi-final 1: QF1 winners v QF2 winners
Semi-final 2: QF3 winners v QF4 winners.(NAN)
