16 groups who crossed the hurdle of the group stage of the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 season, discovered their destiny for the primary set of knockout rounds. On Monday, UEFA introduced the draw for the Round of 16 stage of the event in Nyon and defending champions Manchester City had been handed a benign draw as they had been picked to play in opposition to Copenhagen, the Danish champion who beat Manchester United of their group sport in group-stage tie at house final month. The standout tie is nevertheless the assembly of final season’s runners-up Inter Milan and two-time runner-up Atletico Madrid.
Pep Guardiola’s City, who will likely be aiming to efficiently maintain on the title they claimed in Istanbul final June, are anticipated to comfortably get the higher of their Danish opponent after they meet subsequent yr in February. Meanwhile, for Atletico coach Diego Simeone, will probably be a reunion with the membership the place he spent two seasons as a participant again within the late Nineties.
Ligue 1 winner Paris Saint Germain, who’ve been knocked out in final two consecutive Champions League seasons within the knockout stage and 5 occasions on final seven events, and completed second of their group-stage this time behind Borussia Dortmund, will likely be relieved to see themselves drawn in opposition to Real Sociedad, who’re making their first ever spherical of 16 look within the event after twenty years.
Barcelona’s assembly with Italian winners Napoli is one other standout tie, whereas Arsenal will likely be up in opposition to FC Porto. Bayern Munich, in the meantime, will likely be sturdy favourites in opposition to Lazio and Real Madrid, who will likely be in search of a record-extending fifteenth title, may even be closely fancied in opposition to RB Leipzig.
The different tie sees Dortmund come up in opposition to PSV Eindhoven, who’re coached by former Borussia supervisor Peter Bosz and are by to the final 16 for the primary time in eight years.
The first legs will happen in mid-February with the return matches in March.
This season’s Champions League last will likely be staged at Wembley in London on June 1.
Here is the total draw for UEFA Champions League Round of 16…
FC Porto vs Arsenal
SSC Napoli vs FC Barcelona
Paris Saint Germain vs Real Sociedad
Inter Milan vs Atletico Madrid
PSV Eindhoven vs Borussia Dortmund
S.S Lazio vs Bayern Munich
FC Copenhagen vs Manchester City
RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid
Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
