Clash of Titans in Champions League Round of 16: PSG to Face Liverpool, Barcelona Drawn against Bayern
The draw for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 has pitted some of Europe’s top clubs against each other, with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) set for a titanic clash with Liverpool and FC Barcelona taking on Bayern Munich.
PSG vs. Liverpool: A Blockbuster Encounter
PSG knew they would face a formidable opponent in the round of 16 after topping their Champions League group. They could have drawn either Liverpool, who finished first in their group, or their runners-up, FC Barcelona.
The suspense ended on Friday, February 21st, when the draw was held at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. Ousmane Dembélé and his Barcelona teammates will face the Reds in the next round.
Barcelona have rediscovered their form on the continental stage after a difficult start, having thrashed Brest 10-0 on aggregate in the playoffs. Some observers now consider them serious contenders for the title.
Eric Roy, coach of Brest, believes PSG will be in with a chance regardless of their opponent. "Paris will have their chances against either team," he said. "Having faced both, I was impressed by Barça, but even more so by PSG in recent weeks. Liverpool are very strong, but they haven’t faced a team like PSG yet."
PSG have not lost since November 26th, 2024, in any competition. However, Liverpool, the runaway leaders of the English Premier League, have only suffered one defeat in the Champions League this season – a 3-2 loss to PSV Eindhoven on the final matchday of the group stage.
Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich: A Battle of the Titans
Barcelona, currently top of La Liga on goal difference ahead of Real Madrid, will face Benfica, who eliminated AS Monaco in the playoffs. Bayern Munich, meanwhile, will prepare for a Bundesliga grudge match against Bayer Leverkusen, who denied them a 12th consecutive Bundesliga title last season.
Other Notable Ties
- Real Madrid, the reigning champions, will face their city rivals Atlético Madrid in a highly anticipated derby.
- Lille, who qualified for the knockout stages by finishing seventh in their group, will face Borussia Dortmund, the runners-up from last season.
- PSV Eindhoven, who impressed in the group stage, will take on Arsenal.
- Bruges will face Aston Villa, Benfica will play FC Barcelona, and Feyenoord Rotterdam will take on Inter Milan.
The first legs of the round of 16 will be played on March 4th and 5th, with the return matches taking place on March 11th and 12th.
The Champions League promises to deliver an enthralling knockout stage, with some of the world’s best teams vying for the coveted trophy. The draw has set up some mouthwatering matchups, and the matches are sure to provide plenty of entertainment and drama.
