Real Madrid to face Manchester City again in Champions League last 16

NYON, Switzerland: Manchester City and Real Madrid will renew their familiar rivalry in the Champions League knockout stage, after being drawn together in the last 16 on Friday. This marks the sixth meeting between the two sides since the 2019-20 season.

The two European heavyweights have already met once this season, with City coming from behind to beat 15-time European champions Real Madrid 2-1 in December’s group-stage clash. This is also the first time in Champions League history that two clubs will face each other in the knockout stages for five consecutive seasons.

“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,” said City manager Pep Guardiola.

PSG vs Chelsea

Holders Paris Saint-Germain will meet Chelsea in a repeat of last year’s contentious Club World Cup final, which the Premier League side won.

“So excited. PSG are a fantastic team. I have experience of playing against them in France. They’re a team I’ve always admired,” said Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior, who previously managed Ligue 1 side Strasbourg.

Arsenal avoid heavyweights

Premier League leaders Arsenal have been drawn against Bayer Leverkusen after winning all eight of their group-stage matches. The Gunners have avoided the tournament’s traditional heavyweights in the last 16.

Should they progress, Arsenal could face Sporting or Bodo/Glimt in the quarter-finals, while Real Madrid, Manchester City, PSG, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea occupy the other side of the draw.

“We are very excited to play the next round. We have earned the right to be in a strong position with what we’ve done in the group stage,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

Other key last-16 fixtures

Bayern Munich, second in the group stage, will play Atalanta, who eliminated Borussia Dortmund in the playoffs with a stoppage-time penalty.

Newcastle United will face Barcelona again, after losing to the Spanish side in their opening group match.

Liverpool were paired with Galatasaray.

Tottenham Hotspur take on Atletico Madrid, while Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt play Sporting.

Last-16 fixtures

Real Madrid vs Manchester City

Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting

Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea

Newcastle United vs Barcelona

Galatasaray vs Liverpool

Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur

Atalanta vs Bayern Munich

Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal

Quarter-finals

QF1: PSG/Chelsea vs Galatasaray/Liverpool

QF2: Real Madrid/Man City vs Atalanta/Bayern

QF3: Newcastle/Barcelona vs Atletico/Tottenham

QF4: Bodo/Sporting vs Leverkusen/Arsenal

Semi-finals

Semi-final 1: QF1 winners vs QF2 winners

Semi-final 2: QF3 winners vs QF4 winners

Key dates

Last 16: March 10-11 and March 17-18

Quarter-finals: April 7-8 and April 14-15

Semi-finals: April 28-29 and May 5-6

Final: May 30 at Puskas Arena, Budapest

Fans across Europe and beyond will eagerly watch these fixtures, with high-stakes encounters promising thrilling football as clubs vie for the prestigious Champions League trophy.