- Defending champions Real Madrid will face city rivals Atlético Madrid in the Round of 16
- Premier League leaders Liverpool were drawn against Paris Saint-Germain
- A major Bundesliga showdown will see Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen go head-to-head for a spot in the last eight
Key Takeaways:
The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw, held in Nyon today, has set up several high-profile matchups, including a Madrid derby between defending champions Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid. The winner of this tie will advance to the quarter-finals to face either PSV Eindhoven or Arsenal.
Liverpool, who finished first in the overall group stage standings, face a tough challenge against Paris Saint-Germain. The French champions dominated their playoff round and remain unbeaten in Ligue 1. Should Liverpool progress, they could meet Aston Villa in the quarter-finals, provided the Birmingham club overcomes Club Brugge.
The road to Munich is set.#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/M2ChMOgR8u
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 21, 2025
Barcelona, who finished behind Liverpool in the overall rankings, will take on Benfica. If the Catalans advance, they will face the winner of Borussia Dortmund vs. Lille, making their path to the semi-finals appear relatively favourable on paper.
A heavyweight Bundesliga clash will see league leaders Bayern Munich battle last year’s champions Bayer Leverkusen for a place in the last eight. Meanwhile, Inter will take on Feyenoord, who previously eliminated their city rivals AC Milan in the playoff round.
The Round of 16 matches are scheduled for 4/5 and 11/12 March, with quarter-finals set for 8/9 and 15/16 April. The semi-finals will take place on 29/30 April and 6/7 May, while the final is set for 31 May in Munich.