Manchester City will renew their rivalry with Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League last 16 following Friday’s draw in Nyon, Switzerland.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the clash marks their sixth knockout meeting since the 2019/2020 season, underlining a growing European rivalry between the two giants. City edged the 15-time European champions 2-1 in their December group-stage encounter, setting up what many observers consider a final-worthy showdown.
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will take on Chelsea in a repeat of last season’s heated Club World Cup final, which the English side won. Both teams have expressed confidence ahead of the high-stakes tie.
Premier League leaders Arsenal, who topped the league phase with eight straight wins, have been drawn against Bayer Leverkusen.
Elsewhere, Bayern Munich face Atalanta, who advanced after eliminating Borussia Dortmund via a stoppage-time penalty in the playoffs.
Newcastle United will battle Barcelona, while Liverpool square off against Galatasaray.
Tottenham Hotspur take on Atletico Madrid, as Norway’s surprise package Bodo/Glimt meet 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.
NAN further reports that the quarter-final and semi-final brackets have also been mapped out, raising the prospect of blockbuster encounters 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/Glimt/Sporting v Leverkusen/Arsenal
Semi-finals:
Semi-final 1: Winners of QF1 v Winners of QF2
Semi-final 2: Winners of QF3 v Winners of QF4