The Champions League draw for the Round of 16 has taken place in Nyon, France, with Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid finding out their opponents. The path to the final for all three times has also been outlined.
Los Blancos came through the play-off round with a 3-1 win over Benfica on aggregate, while Los Colchoneros beat Club Brugge 7-4 on aggregate at the same stage. Barcelona, having finishing 5th in the league phase, were provided with a bye for the play-off round.
Real Madrid to face Manchester City – again
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Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and manager Alvaro Arbeloa joked that they would no doubt be facing Manchester City in the Round of 16, and it has come to fruition. They have faced each other on numerous occasions over the past few seasons, including in December, when City came away with a 2-1 win from the Bernabeu.
Barcelona avoid Paris Saint-Germain
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Barcelona on the other hand will have been delighted to avoid a meeting with Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain, who knocked them out two seasons ago, and beat the Blaugrana at Montjuic 2-1 in the summer. They will face Newcastle United, who they also met in the league phase, and beat 2-1 at St. James’ Park with a brace from Marcus Rashford.
Atletico Madrid avoid rematch with Liverpool
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Meanwhile Atletico Madrid will face Tottenham Hotspur in the Round of 16, avoiding a rematch with Liverpool. Spurs have only played Atletieco Madrid once before in 1963 in the Cup-winners Cup, which ended in a 5-1 win for Tottenham.
### Barcelona and Atletico Madrid could meet in the quarter-final
The paths to the final for Barcelona and Atletico Madrid cross in the quarter-finals. Should they both win their ties, the pair will meet each other a total of six times this season, due to their Copa del Rey semi-final, the return leg of which takes place next week.
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