The draw for the last 16 of the Champions League took place this Monday, at midday, at the UEFA headquarters in Switzerland. The matches will take place on 15-16 and 22-23 February for the first leg of the round of 16 and on 8-9 and 15-16 March for the second leg of the round of 16. Lille and Paris Saint-Germain, both qualified for the Champions League Round of 16, had mixed fortunes in the draw. Indeed, the French champion and his last runner-up will face respectively Chelsea and Manchester United.
Qualified as the first of group G, LOSC could have hoped for a more affordable draw despite the presence of big pieces in hat 2. But no! The Dogues have inherited the worst possible opponent, namely Chelsea. The Blues, who were doubled in the last round by Juventus, will be in the way of the Doges next February.
In the other matches, the other clash between Bayern and Atletico Madrid is of course noteworthy. Real Madrid was lucky to inherit Benfica, while Manchester City will face the last Europa League winner, Villarreal. Liverpool will not complain either about its future opponent, Salzburg. A draw that has spared (almost) all the big teams.
Here is the complete program of the Champions League Round of 16:
- Benfica – Real Madrid
- Villareal – Man. City
- Atletico – Bayern
- Salzburg – Liverpool
- Inter Milan – Ajax
- Sporting – Juventus
- Chelsea – Lille
- PSG – Man. United
