Champions League final 16 attract full as Liverpool get rematch and Arsenal face powerful tie
The Champions League last 16 draw has been made as the six remaining Premier League teams have learned their fate.
Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham all finished in the top eight of the league phase and such were seeded for Friday’s draw. They were paired against the eight winners of the play-offs, which included Newcastle as they finished outside of the top eight in the league.
The bracket has been split into four sections, and so each team now knows their road to the final – which will take place in at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest on May 30.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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It’s a tough draw for Liverpool, who have been seeded against Galatasaray.
Liverpool have already faced Galatasaray this season, and the Turkish giants performed the ‘Miracle of Istanbul’ to beat Arne Slot’s side at home. And the Reds will now have to face another trip to Turkey.
Newcastle will face Barcelona. It’s the second time they will have clashed in the Champions League this season, with a Marcus Rashford brace stunning Eddie Howe’s side at St James’ Park back in September.
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Arsenal, meanwhile, have a tough tie with Bayer Leverkusen.
Bayer Leverkusen looked like the team to beat in Europe a couple of seasons ago, but after the departure of Xabi Alonso and Erik ten Hag’s dire reign, the German side have been slowly but surely been getting back on track under Kasper Hjulmand.
It’s déjà vu for Manchester City, and Pep Guardiola’s side will again square off with Real Madrid. City and Real Madrid clashing in the Champions League has almost become a sure thing, with the two sides facing each other six out of the last seven seasons. Earlier this season Guardiola again had Real’s number at the Bernabeu.
(Image: Getty Images)
Tottenham also face a tough task in the knockout phase – and they have been drawn against Atletico Madrid. While Chelsea face defending champions PSG.
The first legs will be played on 10 and 11 March, the second legs will be played on 17 and 18 March, and the eight seeded teams will be at home for the second legs.
Champions League last 16 draw in full:
Real Madrid vs Manchester City
Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting CP
PSG vs Chelsea
Newcastle vs FC Barcelona
Galatasaray vs Liverpool
Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur
Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal
