UCL: Real Madrid Draws Atletico, Bayern Faces Leverkusen
The UEFA Champions League last-16 draw threw up some mouth-watering ties with holders Real Madrid playing local rivals Atletico Madrid, while Bayern Munich were drawn against Bundesliga title challengers Bayer Leverkusen on Friday.
Real Madrid thrashed Premier League champions Manchester City 6-3 on aggregate in the playoffs and the 15-time winners will now make the trip across town to face Atletico, the side they beat in the 2014 and 2016 finals.
Bayern Munich, having last won the trophy in 2020, take on Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen, who pipped them to the Bundesliga title last season. Bayern lead Leverkusen by eight points this term after they drew 0-0 last weekend.
The road to Munich is set.#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/M2ChMOgR8u
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 21, 2025
Liverpool, who like Bayern have been European champions six times and topped the group stage table, travel to in-form Paris St Germain (PSG) for the first leg after the French side humiliated Brest with a 10-0 aggregate win in the playoffs.
Five-time winners Barcelona meet Benfica again, having faced them in a chaotic group stage match last month which they won 5-4 with Raphinha’s winner in the sixth minute of added time.
Arsenal, who are struggling with an injury crisis that has left them without a recognised striker, have been drawn against Eredivisie title challengers PSV Eindhoven.
Former European champions Aston Villa, having last played in the knockout stage in 1983, have been drawn against Club Brugge, who beat Unai Emery’s side in the group stage.
Borussia Dortmund play Lille while Feyenoord, the second Dutch side to go through, take on 2023 runners-up Inter Milan — the only Italian team left in the competition after AC Milan, Juventus and Atalanta crashed out in the playoffs.
Comments are closed.