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The round of 16 for this season’s Champions League is locked in.
Monday’s draw produced some intriguing matchups, highlighted by Inter Milan, defeated finalists in 2022-23, paired with Atletico Madrid. The other standout fixture of the round also features a clash between Italian and Spanish sides, as Napoli will take on Barcelona.
On the whole, Serie A clubs were arguably handed the most difficult task of any domestic league, as Lazio will battle Bayern Munich.
Meanwhile, holders Manchester City will try to accomplish what their rivals Manchester United could not by eliminating FC Copenhagen. The Danish club finished second in Group A thanks largely to a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Red Devils in November.
Elsewhere, Real Sociedad’s reward for pipping Inter to top spot in Group D is a date with Paris Saint-Germain, a club Luis Enrique said “no team” will want to face in the last 16.
Here’s how the complete draw unfolded:
- FC Porto vs. Arsenal
- Napoli vs. Barcelona
- Paris Saint-Germain vs. Real Sociedad
- Inter Milan vs. Atletico Madrid
- PSV Eindhoven vs. Borussia Dortmund
- Lazio vs. Bayern Munich
- FC Copenhagen vs. Manchester City
- RB Leipzig vs. Real Madrid
Clubs from the same domestic league aren’t eligible to face one another at this stage. That restriction is lifted beginning in the quarterfinals.
The round of 16 kicks off on Feb. 13 and concludes with decisive second-leg fixtures in mid-March. The seeded teams, listed second in their respective matchups above, will play the first legs away from home.
The entire knockout phase will again be played without the away goals rule, which UEFA abolished in 2021. Any tie that’s level after 180 minutes will go to extra time and then possibly penalties.
This season’s Champions League final will be held at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium on June 1.