Champions League Draw: Tough Tests for English Clubs as Chelsea, Man City Set For Blockbuster Clashes

The Champions League last-16 draw has delivered a string of high-profile encounters for English sides, with Chelsea paired against Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City set to face Real Madrid. Arsenal, meanwhile, will meet Bayer Leverkusen in what appears to be a more balanced contest on paper.

This stage of the competition rarely offers easy fixtures, and this season is no different. Chelsea’s reward for progressing is a glamour tie against PSG, setting up a showdown between two European heavyweights. Manchester City, no strangers to dramatic knockout nights, have once again been matched with Real Madrid in a tie that has become a modern classic.

Arsenal enjoyed a flawless league phase campaign, winning all eight of their matches to finish top of the standings. Their consistency has earned them a meeting with German outfit Bayer Leverkusen, who advanced after a 2-0 aggregate victory over Olympiacos in the knockout play-off round.

Chelsea to Take on PSG Among Other Blockbuster Clashes

In a rematch of last summer’s Club World Cup final, Chelsea will battle reigning champions PSG in what promises to be one of the headline ties of the round. Liverpool have been drawn against Galatasaray, presenting an opportunity to respond after suffering defeat to the Turkish side earlier in the competition.

Newcastle United face a stern challenge with a trip to Spain to take on LaLiga champions Barcelona. Tottenham Hotspur will also encounter Spanish opposition, having been paired with Atletico Madrid. The fixture adds extra intrigue as Conor Gallagher prepares to meet his former club following his January move.

Manchester City were the first team out of the draw and will renew hostilities with Real Madrid. Pep Guardiola’s men already defeated the Spanish giants 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu during the league phase, adding further anticipation to this latest chapter.

The first legs of the last-16 ties will be played on March 10 and 11, with the return fixtures scheduled for the following week.

Champions League Last-16 Draw in Full

Real Madrid vs. Manchester City
Bodø/Glimt vs. Sporting CP
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