Manchester City and Real Madrid are set to reignite their fierce rivalry in the Champions League knockout rounds, marking their sixth encounter since the 2019-20 season. The draw for the last 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals took place recently, setting the stage for what promises to be another thrilling chapter in their storied competition.
Their first meeting this season resulted in a dramatic comeback from City, where they edged past the 15-time European champions with a 2-1 victory in December’s league match. This upcoming matchup is particularly noteworthy as it marks a historic first in Champions League history, with two teams colliding in the knockout stages for five consecutive seasons. City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, reflected on the importance of these high-stakes matchups, stating, “For our club, as much as you play against the best teams in the whole history of this competition, you learn and improve and you are better in the future.”
In another highly anticipated clash, Paris St Germain will face Chelsea in a rematch of last year’s contentious Club World Cup final, where Chelsea claimed victory. Chelsea’s manager, Liam Rosenior, expressed his enthusiasm for the matchup, acknowledging PSG as a formidable opponent and drawing from his previous managerial experience in France.
Arsenal, having finished the group stage with an impeccable record of eight wins, will take on Bayer Leverkusen, narrowly avoiding the tournament’s heavyweights. Manager Mikel Arteta is looking forward to the challenge, underscoring the team’s hard work that earned them a place among Europe’s elite.
Other exciting fixtures include Bayern Munich facing Atalanta—the latter having recently eliminated Borussia Dortmund in a nail-biting playoff—and Newcastle United matched against Barcelona. Liverpool will go up against Galatasaray, while Tottenham Hotspur prepares to challenge Atletico Madrid. The Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, renowned for their impressive victories over heavyweights like City and Inter Milan this season, will clash with Portugal’s Sporting.
Here are the matchups for the last 16:
– Real Madrid vs Manchester City
– Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting
– Paris St Germain vs Chelsea
– Newcastle United vs Barcelona
– Galatasaray vs Liverpool
– Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur
– Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
– Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal
For the quarter-finals, potential matchups are set as follows:
– QF1: PSG/Chelsea vs Galatasaray/Liverpool
– QF2: Real Madrid/Man City vs Atalanta/Bayern
– QF3: Newcastle/Barcelona vs Atletico/Tottenham
As the knockout stage draws near, football fans are eagerly anticipating the potential for exhilarating competition and unforgettable performances, with teams competing fiercely for glory in the most prestigious tournament in European football. With the stage set, there is a palpable sense of excitement about what lies ahead in this electrifying Champions League campaign.