The UEFA Champions League last-16 draw has delivered blockbuster matchups, with defending champions Real Madrid set for a high-stakes city derby against Atletico Madrid, while Premier League leaders Liverpool will face Paris Saint-Germain.
Madrid Derby Takes Center Stage
Real Madrid’s path to defending their title will see them take on fierce local rivals Atletico Madrid in a two-legged knockout tie. The two clubs share a storied history in Europe’s elite competition, with Real emerging victorious in the 2014 and 2016 finals against their neighbors. However, with Atletico’s resilient form under Diego Simeone, the tie promises to be an intense battle.
Liverpool vs PSG: A Heavyweight Clash
Liverpool, who topped the new 36-team league phase standings, have been handed a challenging fixture against Kylian Mbappé’s Paris Saint-Germain. Despite being the top seed, Jürgen Klopp’s side must navigate a tough challenge against the French champions, who finished 15th in the standings. The two sides last met in the group stage of the 2018-19 season, trading home wins in a campaign that ultimately saw Liverpool lift their sixth European Cup.
Bundesliga Showdown: Bayern vs Leverkusen
In another all-domestic encounter, Bayern Munich will face Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen. The two clubs played out a tight 0-0 draw in their recent league meeting, setting the stage for a tactical battle in Europe. Leverkusen’s rise under Xabi Alonso makes them a formidable opponent against the competition’s six-time winners.
The Full Round of 16 Draw
- Club Brugge (Belgium) vs Aston Villa (England)
- Borussia Dortmund (Germany) vs Lille (France)
- Real Madrid (Spain) vs Atletico Madrid (Spain)
- Bayern Munich (Germany) vs Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)
- PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands) vs Arsenal (England)
- Feyenoord (Netherlands) vs Inter Milan (Italy)
- Paris Saint-Germain (France) vs Liverpool (England)
- Benfica (Portugal) vs Barcelona (Spain)
Knockout Stage Schedule
The first-leg matches will take place on March 4-5, with the return fixtures scheduled one week later. Under the new Champions League format, teams from the same country can now meet in the round of 16, opening the door for more domestic rivalries on Europe’s grandest stage.
The Road to Munich
The quarterfinal draw has already mapped potential paths for teams. The winner of the Liverpool vs PSG clash will face either Aston Villa or Club Brugge, while the Madrid derby victor will take on the winner of PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal. With heavyweight encounters across the board, the road to the Champions League final in Munich is set to be a thrilling journey.
