The Champions League round of 16 is set, and it’s a blockbuster lineup. Liverpool will battle Paris Saint-Germain in a heavyweight clash, while Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid face off in a high-stakes derby. Elsewhere, Bayern Munich take on Bayer Leverkusen in an all-German showdown, and Arsenal meet PSV Eindhoven.
Liverpool may feel hard done by. Despite topping their group with seven wins from eight, Arne Slot’s side have drawn a resurgent PSG. The French champions finished 15th in the league phase but dismantled Brest 10-0 on aggregate in the playoff round.
This tie pits two of Europe’s most in-form attackers, Mohamed Salah and Ousmane Dembélé, against each other. The winners will meet either Aston Villa or Club Brugge in the quarterfinals.
The Madrid derby promises fireworks. Real Madrid, 15-time European champions, stormed into the last 16 by eliminating Manchester City 6-3 on aggregate. Kylian Mbappé’s hat-trick in the second leg underlined their attacking threat. Atlético Madrid now face a brutal run, playing Barcelona three times domestically in addition to this tie. The winners will face either Arsenal or PSV in the next round.
In Germany, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen will renew their domestic rivalry in European competition. The Bundesliga top two played out a 0-0 draw just last weekend, but stakes will be far higher this time. The victor moves on to face either Feyenoord or Inter Milan.
Barcelona would meet Benfica in a rematch of January’s thrilling 5-4 group-stage encounter. With the second leg at the Camp Nou, Hansi Flick’s side hold a slight advantage. The winner could face either Borussia Dortmund or Lille in the quarterfinals.
