In an unprecedented move in the tournament, four Spanish teams, each ranked first in their group, will qualify for the last 16 qualifying rounds of the Football Champions League, which will be determined by the draw to be held next Monday.
Moreover Real Madrid, Barcelona, Real Sociedad and Atletico MadridThree German clubs remain in the tournament –Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Leipzig– and many other Italians, all second class –Inter, Napoli and Lazio-. English football has retained only two: the current champion, Manchester City and Arsenal.
Four Spaniards have never reached the round of 16. Only SevilleLast year’s champion of the Europa League was eliminated from the tournament.
Matches in the last 16 rounds will be determined on Monday. The winners of each group will be seeded and play the rematch at home. They will face a runner-up from another group.
Teams from the same national association cannot be paired with teams playing in the draw or group stage. The first matches are on 13-14 and 20-21 February. Return, 5 and 6 and 12 and 13 March.
— Winner of the group (seeded): Arsenal (ING), Bayern Munich (ALE), Manchester City (ING), Real Madrid (ESP), Real Sociedad (ESP), Atlético Madrid (ESP), Borussia Dortmund (ALE) and Barcelona (ESP)
— Group seconds: Copenhagen (DIN), Inter (ITA), Leipzig (ALE), Napoli (ITA), PSV Eindhoven (HOL), Lazio (ITA), Paris Saint Germain (FRA) and Porto (POR)
— Third parties (playing in the Europa League): Galatasaray (TUR), Lens (FRA), Braga (POR), Benfica (POR), Feyenoord (HOL), Milan (ITA), Young Boys (SUI) and Shakhtar (UCR).