European football heavyweights on Friday afternoon learned their opponents after the draw for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 was unveiled, as Real Madrid, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and Chelsea are set to square off in the coming weeks, news.ng reports.
Reigning champions PSG will face FIFA Club World Cup winners Chelsea, as football enthusiasts expect a cracker from the two-legged encounter.
Turkish giants Galatasaray, where Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen plies his trade, will lock horns with Premier League side Liverpool. The two encounters in Istanbul and at Anfield promise to be electrifying.
However, the highly anticipated clash will be between nine-time winners Real Madrid and Manchester City. In their last ten meetings, both teams have recorded four victories each and two draws.
Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich will slug it out with Serie A side Atalanta, as fans expect to witness their attacking prowess and continental strength.
Surprisingly, Premier League side Newcastle United made it to the Round of 16 despite their recent domestic struggles. They will face Spanish giants Barcelona. Eddie Howe’s boys, after their triumph last year in winning the Carabao Cup, are expected to be at their best when they take on the Catalans.
Still, the Spain-and-London affair between Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur promises drama. Spurs, who are struggling to lift themselves out of the relegation zone, will have difficult outings against the dangerous Diego Simeone’s men.
Lastly, debutants and Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt will face Portuguese giants Sporting CP, while another Bundesliga side, Bayer Leverkusen, will have a date with Premier League leaders Arsenal in an all-professional duel.
