Manchester City and Real Madrid are set to clash once again in the Champions League knockout stage. The draw for the last 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals has placed these two football giants on a collision course for the sixth time since the 2019-20 season.
The two clubs have already met this campaign, with Manchester City securing a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the group stage. "It's like a final, we are happy to go there again," said City's director of football, Hugo Viana.
Holders Paris Saint-Germain will face Chelsea in a rematch of a past final. Chelsea's director of football, David Barnard, acknowledged the challenge: "It'll be tough but it holds no fear for us."
Arsenal, after a perfect group stage record, will play Bayer Leverkusen. Should they advance, Arsenal could face Sporting or Bodo/Glimt, while Real Madrid, Manchester City, PSG, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea are positioned on the other side of the draw.
Bayern Munich are scheduled to play Atalanta, who eliminated Borussia Dortmund. Newcastle United will face Barcelona again, and Liverpool are paired with Galatasaray. Tottenham Hotspur face Atletico Madrid, and Bodo/Glimt take on Sporting Lisbon.
The first legs of the last 16 are scheduled for March 10-11, with the second legs on March 17-18.