As the Champions League progresses into the knockout stages, excitement builds among football fans worldwide. The draw for the Round of 16 will take place at 12:00, setting the stage for some thrilling matchups. Three of Spain’s top clubs—Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid—are eager to discover their opponents.
Champions League Round of 16 Draw Details
This year, each Spanish team faces two possible opponents based on their group stage performance:
- Real Madrid: Manchester City or Sporting Lisbon
- FC Barcelona: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) or Newcastle United
- Atlético Madrid: Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur
Notably, FC Barcelona will host their second leg match at home, while Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid will play away due to their playoff origins. This scenario adds extra pressure for both squads as they look to advance.
Potential Challenges for Real Madrid and Barcelona
A matchup with Manchester City could be significant for Real Madrid. They have faced City in the previous four seasons. Recently, City triumphed at the Bernabéu, but Madrid has historically fared well, winning two out of three knockout ties against them.
Sporting Lisbon, although less renowned, is formidable. They recently surprised many by reaching the top eight and currently compete for the Portuguese title against FC Porto.
FC Barcelona’s Predicaments
FC Barcelona may find themselves up against a weakened PSG, who struggled through the group stages and faced troubles in recent matches, including injuries to key players like Ousmane Dembélé. A more favorable matchup would be Newcastle, despite their strong players, such as Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon. Nonetheless, Barcelona’s advantage lies in having the second leg at Camp Nou.
Atlético Madrid Faces Tough English Rivals
Atlético Madrid will also confront two English teams. Liverpool, the reigning Premier League champions, is on the rise, while Tottenham is facing a challenging season. This discrepancy may make Tottenham a more appealing opponent for Atlético. However, the need to secure victories in away matches remains critical.
Upcoming Match Schedule
The journey in the Champions League continues as the draw outlines the pathway toward the final in Budapest on May 30. The knockout round matches will take place between March 10-11 and 17-18. Avoiding matchups against City, PSG, and Liverpool is essential for all teams aiming for success.
Stay informed on the latest developments in the Champions League by following updates on El-Balad.
