Thibaut Courtois has confidently predicted that Real Madrid will face Manchester City in the upcoming Champions League knockout stage. Speaking ahead of the draw held in Nyon, Switzerland, the Belgian goalkeeper stated, “Real Madrid will definitely face Manchester City. Everyone knows this.”
As Courtois anticipated, the draw conducted by former player Ivan Rakitic paired Real Madrid with Manchester City. This matchup is notable as the two teams have clashed five times in continental competitions since the 2019/20 season, making it the most frequent encounter among all pairings in that period.
In addition to the highly anticipated duel between Real Madrid and Manchester City, fans are eager for more “early final” matchups in this year’s Champions League Round of 16. The reigning champions PSG will face a challenging test against Chelsea, who recently secured the FIFA Club World Cup title. Meanwhile, another intriguing fixture will see Barcelona take on Newcastle.
The first legs of the Round of 16 are scheduled for March 11 and 12, while the return legs will take place on March 18 and 19. This setup brings excitement as teams vie for advancement in one of the most prestigious tournaments in club football. The continued presence of powerhouse clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester City underlines the high stakes and competitive spirit of the Champions League.