UEFA today paired the teams to face each other in the round of 16 of this season’s Champions League.
The draws pitch:
*Real Madrid vs. Manchester City
*Bodø/Glimt vs. Sporting CP
*PSG vs. Chelsea
*Newcastle vs. Barcelona
*Galatasaray vs. Liverpool
*Atlético Madrid vs. Tottenham Hotspur
*Atalanta vs. Bayern Munich
*Bayer Leverkusen vs. Arsenal
Hostilities in the round of 16 kick off on Tuesday, 10 March and Wednesday, 11 March. Unseeded teams will host the first legs on those days.
As a reward for sealing automatic qualification, the seeded teams in each tie will get home advantage in the return legs on Tuesday, 17 March and Wednesday, 18 March.
However, after reviewing the chances of the participating teams, UK newspaper, The Telegraph, predicted that only two English Premier League (EPL) will survive the round.
It wrote:
PSG v Chelsea:
Arguably the tie of the round. Chelsea stunned PSG, the reigning European champions, in last summer’s Club World Cup final, winning 3-0 in the United States. Can they repeat the trick over two legs? It’s a tough ask, given the attacking firepower and midfield class of the French side. Luis Enrique knows how to navigate these occasions.
Verdict: PSG progress.
Galatasaray v Liverpool:
Liverpool lost 1-0 away to Galatasaray earlier in the competition but will feel confident of exacting revenge on the Turkish side. The biggest threat to Arne Slot’s team will be Victor Osimhen, scorer of 23 goals for club and country this season, but Liverpool should have enough.
Verdict: Liverpool progress.
Real Madrid v Manchester City
Are you bored of this contest yet? As a match-up, it has certainly lost some of its appeal to neutrals, given the regularity with which it is played. City won in Madrid earlier this season at a time when head coach Xabi Alonso was under huge pressure. Alonso has since been sacked, though, and Real now look a little more sturdy.
Verdict: Real progress.
Atalanta v Bayern Munich
Atalanta stunned Borussia Dortmund in the play-offs, winning in dramatic fashion, but surely will not be able to stop the mighty Bayern from progressing. Bayern are eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and have Harry Kane in absurdly good form: he has scored nine goals in his last six matches. Verdict: Bayern progress.
Newcastle United v Barcelona
Newcastle are capable of rattling any opponent, especially at home. Barcelona will have no fear, though, after winning 2-1 at St James’ Park in September. The La Liga leaders displayed intelligence and technique that Newcastle could not match, and they will expect to do so again over two legs.
Verdict: Barcelona progress.
Atletico Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur
For Spurs, the Champions League has been a welcome distraction from their struggles in the Premier League this season. A meeting with Atletico might not be so enjoyable, especially given their injury issues and the need to focus on domestic survival. This is not a brilliant Atletico team but they are usually horrible opponents.
Verdict: Atletico progress.
Bodo/Glimt v Sporting CP
Bodo/Glimt have been the story of the season in European football, winning matches against City, Atletico and Inter Milan since the turn of the year. It has been an extraordinary run and this is, on paper at least, another winnable tie. Sporting are second in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, four points behind Porto. Verdict: The Bodo/Glimt fairytale continues.
Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal
This appears to be a lovely draw for Arsenal, who dominated the league phase of the competition. Leverkusen are sixth in the Bundesliga, more than 20 points off the top, and have been inconsistent all season. Verdict: Arsenal progress.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Chelsea players celebrate after scoring yet another goal in a match.
