The fixtures making up the Champions League round of 16 have been announced in Nyon, Switzerland.
The 16 finalists in Europe’s elite competition have discovered their opponents in the Champions League knockout phase as the race to make next year’s final at the San Siro took another step forward.
The were marquee fixtures aplenty, with Arsenal and FC Barcelona highlighting the mouthwatering matchups in a repeat of the 2006 finale. Fresh of their incredible group stage escape, the Gunners face what looms as the toughest of tasks. Barca flexed their muscle on matchday six, thrashing fellow finalists AS Roma 6-1 at home.
They will hold something of a mental edge on Arsene Wenger’s side too, having knocked them out of the competition in 2011.
PSG and Chelsea were once again drawn together in the knockout stage. The French club bundled the Blues out of this competition last year on away goals.
Last season’s defeated finalists Juventus were handed a monumental task, set the assignment of tackling Bayern Munich in what promises to be another tantalising clash of titans.
Struggling Roma also face a challenging outlook, drawn against Spanish and European powerhouse Real Madrid, fresh of an 8-0 thumping of Malmo in European competition.
Manchester City can consider their task somewhat easier than their English counterparts, drawn with Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv.
The competition will take a recess for the winter break and will resume in mid-February.
FULL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND OF 16 DRAW:
KAA Gent vs VfL Wolfsburg
AS Roma vs Real Madrid
PSG vs Chelsea
Arsenal vs FC Barcelona
Juventus vs Bayern Munich
PSV Eindhoven vs Atletico Madrid
SL Benfica vs Zenit St Petersburg
Dynamo Kyiv vs Manchester City
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