Manchester City and Real Madrid will once again face off in the Champions League knockout rounds, continuing a rivalry that has intensified over the past few years. The two teams have been drawn together for the sixth time since the 2019-20 season, following the draw for the last 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals held on Friday.
This season, they have already met once, with City managing a comeback to secure a 2-1 victory against the record 15-time European champions in December’s league-phase match. This match-up is notable as it marks the first occasion in Champions League history where two teams will clash in the knockout stages for five consecutive seasons. City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, commented on the significance of these encounters, 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.”
The holders, Paris St Germain, will take on Chelsea in a repeat of last year’s contentious Club World Cup final, which ended with Chelsea emerging victorious. Chelsea’s boss, Liam Rosenior, expressed excitement for the match, having previously managed in France and acknowledging PSG as a formidable team.
In contrast, Arsenal managed to avoid the tournament’s heavyweights, drawing Bayer Leverkusen instead. The Premier League leaders, after securing a perfect record of eight wins in the group stage, are well-positioned for a successful run. Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, expressed anticipation for the upcoming match, emphasizing their hard-earned place among the tournament’s elite.
Bayern Munich, who finished second in the league phase, will face Atalanta, who eliminated Borussia Dortmund in a dramatic playoff with a stoppage-time penalty. Meanwhile, Newcastle United will again meet Barcelona, and Liverpool has drawn Galatasaray. Tottenham Hotspur will take on Atletico Madrid, while the Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt—who have garnered attention this season with victories over renowned clubs like City and Inter Milan—will clash with Sporting from Portugal.
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, the potential matchups are 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 approaches, fans are reminded of the thrilling potential of these matches. The stage is set for intense competition and memorable performances as teams vie for glory in Europe’s most prestigious football tournament.