Real Madrid, Barcelona, Napoli and Paris Saint‑Germain among the Champions League last‑16 draw teams
Leipzig will meet Real Madrid, Napoli faces Barcelona, Inter confronts Atlético Madrid, and Paris Saint‑Germain squares off with Real Sociedad in the round of 16. These pairings emerge from the draw conducted on Monday at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, closing the group stage with decisive results. The path to the knockout rounds was sealed as Lazio matched up against Bayern Munich, Porto faced Arsenal, PSV drew Dortmund, and Copenhagen met Manchester City.
There was no fortunate break for Spanish clubs when the final 16 teams were paired. The two strong teams seeded into the second pot were both from La Liga, and the heavyweight in that group, Paris Saint‑Germain, drew Real Sociedad, who did not win their group and thus faced a tougher challenge early on as a result of the seeding rules.
In another notable encounter, Atlético Madrid received a high‑caliber opponent in Inter Milan, the Serie A leaders. The draw also included a session where the seeded teams, all from Spain, hoped to avoid a difficult matchup. The occasion marks a potential chapter in Simeone’s career: a strategic clash with one of his former clubs could align with the moment his tenure at the Estadio Metropolitano nears its end, adding an emotional layer to the fixture.
Real Madrid and Barcelona perceived as luckier
Both of Spain’s football giants appeared to have comparatively gentler paths on paper, though fate is never entirely forgiving. In the second pot, the options were the most manageable for the chasing teams, making the prospect of a smoother route plausible.
Real Madrid are set to travel to Germany to take on RB Leipzig, a side they faced in the group stage last season and defeated in that matchup. Leipzig features talents such as Dani Olmo, Xavi Simons, and Timo Werner, and currently sits third in the Bundesliga, trailing behind leaders Leverkusen and Bayern Munich.
Barcelona, meanwhile, will renew the rivalry with Napoli, a match that rekindles a recent history of competitive clashes. Napoli, positioned fifth in Serie A, relies on standout talents including Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as their main scoring threats.
Manchester City’s opportunity in focus
Manchester City are highlighted as a potential favorite within the group stage rematches. Their first knockout opponent appears to be Copenhagen, a surprising entrant who reached the last 16 and has already upset expectations in the phase. The draw also pairs Bayern Munich with Lazio, Arsenal visiting Porto, and the match between PSV and Dortmund completing the opening round of the knockout phase.
The schedule divides the ties across four weeks. The first legs are slated for February 13, 14, 20, and 21, with the second legs scheduled for March 5, 6, 12, and 13, where the group winners are confirmed and the possibility of cross‑country clashes emerges. The quarterfinals will then be drawn in April, with matches set for April 9, 10, 16, and 17. The calendar emphasizes the intensity of this stage, where every result matters and surprises can surface at any moment.
Across the rounds, the drama is underscored by contrasting styles, tactical matchups, and the relentless pursuit of qualification to the quarterfinals. Clubs prepare for a sequence of two‑leg ties that demand precision at both ends of the pitch, with the possibility of upsets making the knockout phase as unpredictable as it is thrilling. This stage of the competition often tests depth, resilience, and the ability to perform under pressure in a high‑stakes European setting. (Cited: UEFA primary competition briefing)