After take two, we finally have the round of 16 draw for this season’s UEFA Champions League. The original draw was voided after a technical glitch was founded following investigation. Manchester United were drawn against Villarreal, which wasn’t possible as the two teams were in the same group. Then, United were omitted from a potential tie against Atletico Madrid.
Round of 16 draw – final
Now after the whole process was redone, Man United are indeed paired with Atletico Madrid. They were first drawn with PSG, which set up another chapter of Messi vs Ronaldo. Though Atletico Madrid might be slightly better opponents to face, they are no pushovers themselves. This is the third season in a row actually that the Madrid side have drawn English opposition at the round of 16. They eliminated Liverpool two seasons ago but bowed out at the hands of Thomas Tuchel’s revitalised Chelsea.
Speaking of Chelsea, they escaped punishment of surrendering top spot in their group on the last matchday. They host LOSC Lille in their round of 16 tie. Lille were statistically the worst among the group winners, and Chelsea will fancy their chances of progressing. Juventus, who pipped Chelsea to top spot in group H, will go against Europa League holders Villarreal, while free-scoring Ajax are drawn against Benfica.
The teams worst affected by the redraw are Real Madrid and Liverpool. Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool passed the acid test of the “Group of Death” with flying colours. Their reward is a tricky tie against Serie A champions Inter.
The standout tie is arguably PSG vs Real Madrid. Sergio Ramos, if fit, could potentially face a club he spent 16 years with, while Kylian Mbappé, who has been long linked with a move to Real Madrid, could face his potential suitors. The two teams faced each other at the same stage in 2017/18, Sergio Ramos’s Real Madrid proceeded by winning both legs. However two seasons later, PSG got their revenge in the group stage, with a comfortable 3-0 win at home.
Draw in full:
The first legs will be played in February and the second legs in March, as is customary.
RB Salzburg vs Bayern Munich
Sporting Club vs Manchester City
SL Benfica vs AFC Ajax
Chelsea vs LOSC Lille
Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United
Villarreal CF vs Juventus
Inter Milan vs Liverpool
Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid