Champions League Last 16 Draw Unveiled: Barcelona to Face Napoli in Marquee Clash
Feb
Barcelona is set for an enticing battle against Napoli in what promises to be a highlight fixture of the Champions League round of 16. Simultaneously, defending champions Manchester City will encounter Danish side FC Copenhagen in this crucial stage of the competition.
The draw presents a challenging hurdle for Barcelona, which, despite its illustrious history, has encountered a recent dip in form, winning only twice in its last six games. Napoli, positioned fifth in Serie A and led by newly-appointed head coach Walter Mazzarri, secured its spot in the last 16 as a distant second to Real Madrid.
Manchester City, currently residing in fifth place in the English Premier League, faces FC Copenhagen, making its first appearance in the Champions League last 16 since the 2010-11 season. Pep Guardiola’s team, despite domestic struggles, enters the knockout stages with a perfect record of six wins from six matches.
Real Sociedad, having topped its group ahead of last season’s finalist Inter Milan, will lock horns with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), a team that has shown improvement after early-season challenges. PSG, however, had a tense qualification, finishing the group stage without a win in its final three matches.
Fourteen-time winner Real Madrid faces a formidable challenge against RB Leipzig, known for being a constant threat. Led by English standout Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid has been formidable with six wins from six, even if its performances have occasionally fallen short of its best.
The full draw for the Champions League last 16 is as follows:
- Porto vs. Arsenal
- Napoli vs. Barcelona
- PSG vs. Real Sociedad
- Inter Milan vs. Atletico Madrid
- PSV vs. Borussia Dortmund
- Lazio vs. Bayern Munich
- FC Copenhagen vs. Manchester City
- RB Leipzig vs. Real Madrid
Arsenal, making its Champions League return since the 2016-17 season, will face Porto, a team that narrowly missed out on the top spot in its group to Barcelona.
The first leg of the round of 16 ties is scheduled for February 13, with the return legs taking place on March 5. This season marks the final implementation of the current group stage format, with the subsequent season adopting a single league table to determine knockout stage qualification.
