Champions League draw: City meet Real Madrid, Liverpool battle Atletico
The round of 16 in this season’s Champions League should be fascinating.
The draw for the knockout stage was held Monday in Nyon, Switzerland, and offered up several tantalizing fixtures that wouldn’t be out of place in the latter rounds of the competition.
The marquee matchup sees Pep Guardiola return to a familiar battle ground, as Premier League champions Manchester City will tangle with Real Madrid. Champions League holders Liverpool, meanwhile, also travel to the Spanish capital, as Jurgen Klopp’s side meets Atletico Madrid; the Reds will return to the Wanda Metropolitano after hoisting the trophy there in June.
English clubs were handed difficult tasks across the board, as Chelsea and Tottenham have dates with Bavarian behemoths Bayern Munich and Bundesliga leaders RB Leipzig, respectively.
Here’s the draw in full:
- Borussia Dortmund vs. Paris Saint-Germain
- Real Madrid vs. Manchester City
- Atalanta vs. Valencia
- Atletico Madrid vs. Liverpool
- Chelsea vs. Bayern Munich
- Lyon vs. Juventus
- Tottenham vs. RB Leipzig
- Napoli vs. Barcelona
The draw wasn’t short on narratives, as is so often the case.
There’s a reunion for Thomas Tuchel and Borussia Dortmund on the horizon, while Kostas Manolas, now with Napoli, will lock horns with Barcelona two years after his goal sent them packing on a memorable night for Roma.
The knockout stage is slated to begin Feb. 18.
