UEFA has conducted the draw for the Champions League round of 16, presenting varying challenges for Spanish teams Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid. All three teams will travel to England, facing Premier League rivals for a chance to advance to the quarter-finals. Real Madrid will go up against Manchester City, Barcelona will tackle Newcastle, and Atlético Madrid will play Tottenham.
Champions League Draw Summary
- Real Madrid vs. Manchester City
- Barcelona vs. Newcastle
- Atlético Madrid vs. Tottenham
All first-leg matches are scheduled for the second week of March, between March 10 and 11, with the second legs taking place the following week. Exact match times are yet to be announced.
Real Madrid’s History with Manchester City
Real Madrid, the most successful club in Champions League history with 15 titles, has a storied rivalry with Manchester City. Thibaut Courtois, after a previous victory against Benfica, acknowledged the frequent encounters with City, recognizing it as a major European clash.
Madrid has faced City in prior seasons, including memorable matches in the semi-finals and quarter-finals. In 2021-2022, Madrid staged a remarkable comeback, winning the final at Wembley. Conversely, City prevailed in the following season’s semi-finals. More recently, Madrid advanced past City in a tense penalty shootout.
Barcelona’s Challenge Against Newcastle
Barcelona returns to face Newcastle, who currently sit eleventh in the Premier League. Barcelona’s director of football, Deco, emphasized the importance of respect for their opponents. He noted that Newcastle can be formidable at home.
If Barcelona succeeds, they could meet Atlético Madrid in the quarter-finals. This potential matchup heightens interest following their intense rivalry this season.
Atlético Madrid vs. Tottenham
Atlético Madrid will face Tottenham, a club in crisis, sitting dangerously close to the relegation zone. Despite their current struggles, Atlético’s director of football, Mateu Alemany, acknowledged Tottenham as a top team with a strong European pedigree.
Regarding Antoine Griezmann, Alemany dismissed transfer rumors, affirming Griezmann’s commitment and focus on the upcoming matches.
Upcoming Champions League Schedule
Looking beyond the Spanish teams, the round of 16 also features key matches including:
- PSG vs. Chelsea
- Galatasaray vs. Liverpool
- Atalanta vs. Bayern
- Bodo/Glimt vs. Sporting
- Bayer Leverkusen vs. Arsenal
The quarter-finals will occur in early April, with the semi-finals scheduled for late April to early May. The final of this prestigious tournament will take place on May 30 at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest.
