UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Draw: Real Madrid vs Manchester City, Chelsea Face Paris Saint-Germain
UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Draw
The Champions League round of 16 draw has delivered blockbuster matchups, headlined by another heavyweight showdown between Real Madrid and Manchester City, while holders Paris Saint-Germain will take on Chelsea.
The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Draw was conducted at UEFA headquarters in Nyon on Friday, setting up a knockout stage filled with high-stakes rematches and compelling storylines.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City: A Modern European Classic
Madrid and City have now met in the knockout stages in each of the last four Champions League campaigns, with the Spanish giants advancing three times.
City had the possibility of facing Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, but instead drew their familiar European rivals. With both clubs boasting deep squads and recent continental success, this tie is widely viewed as the standout fixture of the round.
PSG vs Chelsea: Repeat of Club World Cup Final
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will face Chelsea in a repeat of last summer’s Club World Cup final.
The winner of this tie will meet either Liverpool or Galatasaray in the quarterfinals, adding further intrigue to an already competitive section of the bracket.
Barcelona Draw Newcastle United
FC Barcelona will meet Newcastle United after the Catalan side’s dominant playoff-round performance against Qarabag.
The winner of Barcelona vs Newcastle will face either Atlético Madrid or Tottenham Hotspur in the quarterfinals.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Bayern Learn Their Fate
Among the other major ties:
- Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen
- Liverpool vs Galatasaray
- Tottenham vs Atlético Madrid
- Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting CP
- Bayern Munich vs Atalanta
Six Premier League teams remain in the competition, underlining England’s strong presence in this season’s tournament.
How the Bracket Shapes the Road to the Final
Due to this season’s bracket format, potential quarterfinal and semifinal paths are already clear:
- PSG/Chelsea winner faces Liverpool/Galatasaray
- Bayern Munich could meet Real Madrid or Manchester City
- Newcastle/Barcelona winner plays Atlético Madrid or Tottenham
- Arsenal would face Bodo/Glimt or Sporting if they overcome Leverkusen
Match Dates
- First legs: March 10–11
- Second legs: March 17–18
The top eight teams from the league phase will host the second legs, giving them home advantage in the decisive fixtures.
With multiple heavyweight clashes and potential revenge narratives, this year’s Champions League knockout stage promises drama, intensity and elite European football at its finest.
