February 27 – This morning’s Champions League last 16 draw has set up an early cull of leading contenders, with several of Europe’s heavyweights thrown together before the competition reaches the spring stretch.
The standout pairing sees Real Madrid take on Manchester City – a fixture that has become a modern Champions League staple with the clubs have met in the competition in each of the last four seasons and five times in the last six seasons. One of the dominant forces of the UCL will exit before the quarter-finals, underlining how little margin for error now exists under the revised format.
Paris Saint-Germain, defending champions, have been handed Chelsea in a tie that carries a scent of revenge following their meeting in last summer’s Club World Cup final – where the Blues spoiled a historic run of trophies for France’s elite.
Barcelona will travel to Newcastle United, returning to St James’ Park after the sides crossed paths earlier in the campaign.
Elsewhere, Arsenal’s reward for topping the league phase with a perfect record is a meeting with Bayer Leverkusen. On seeding, it is one of the more navigable ties, though Leverkusen’s European trajectory over the past two seasons suggests this is far from routine.
Bayern Munich will face Atalanta, who were tested against German opposition in the playoffs, having required a late penalty to overcome Borussia Dortmund.
Liverpool draw Galatasaray in what will be a hostile away leg in Istanbul – a city synonymous with success and suffering for the Reds, having been the backdrop for their 2005 UCL success but also for a punishing defeat earlier in this season’s group stages.
Atlético Madrid will meet Tottenham Hotspur in a tie that will define each club’s season. Having each struggled domestically, the UEFA Champions League is the only place left to really leave a mark.
Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt continue their run against Sporting CP, yet again the clear outsiders but no strangers to upsetting the hierarchy.
First legs will be played March 10-11, with return fixtures scheduled for March 17-18. As a reward for sealing automatic qualification, the seeded teams in each tie will get home advantage in the return legs.
By the end of this round, several of the tournament’s strongest squads will already be gone – an early reminder that in this edition of the Champions League, the attrition begins sooner rather than later.
Champions League Round of 16 Fixtures
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City
Bodø/Glimt vs. Sporting CP
PSG vs. Chelsea
Newcastle vs. Barcelona
Galatasaray vs. Liverpool
Atlético Madrid vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Atalanta vs. Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Arsenal
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1772194281labto1772194281ofdlr1772194281owedi1772194281sni@g1772194281niwe.1772194281yrrah1772194281