Home of football statistics and historyToday’s Champions League draw not only set the last-16 schedule but also mapped out the potential path to the Champions League final, showing teams who they could face in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and ultimately the final.
Premier League giants Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur can now plot their paths to the Puskas Arena in Budapest, as they bid to dethrone reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain.
All four English clubs qualified directly for the last 16 after finishing in the top eight of the league phase, with the Gunners topping the table as the only side with a 100% record.
Despite failing to lock down a top-eight finish in the main draw, Les Parisiens overcame fellow Ligue 1 rivals Monaco in the play-off round to extend their European adventure.
However, the opening knockout round produced a major upset, as last season’s finalists, Inter Milan, bowed out at the hands of surprise package Bodo/Glimt, who will compete in the round of 16 for the first time.
Let’s look at the match-ups.
Galatasaray vs Liverpool
Inspired by Victor Osimhen, Galatasaray defied the odds in the play-offs, emerging as 7-5 aggregate winners against Juventus after a dramatic second leg in Turin.
As a reward, they’ll face Liverpool again, having beaten the Reds 1-0 in the league phase to maintain their impressive head-to-head record in the 21st century (W2, D2, L1).
With Arne Slot’s future at Anfield under scrutiny, the downtrodden Premier League champions will be eager to bounce back on the European stage, using this tie to restore confidence and send a statement to both fans and critics.
Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
Atalanta and Bayern Munich have never faced each other before, but La Dea are intimately familiar with German opposition, as they pulled off an epic comeback to oust Borussia Dortmund in the play-offs.
Despite a 2-0 defeat at Signal Iduna Park, Raffaele Palladino’s team secured a stunning 4-1 home win in the second leg to set up this handsomely-looking tie against one of the tournament favourites.
The Bavarians run riot in the league phase, winning seven matches, barring a 3-1 loss at Arsenal, while they seem to be waltzing away with a record-extending 35th title in the Bundesliga.
Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur
Despite being seasoned continental campaigners, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur will lock horns in a major European competition for the first time.
Los Colchoneros are no longer in contention for La Liga supremacy, but they’re likely to qualify for next season’s Champions League via another top-four finish.
On the other hand, winning a maiden Champions League title is Tottenham’s only chance of dining at Europe’s top table next term, as they fight for survival in the Premier League.
Newcastle United vs Barcelona
Revenge will be at the forefront of Eddie Howe’s mind when Newcastle United take on La Liga pacesetters Barcelona in a glamour last-16 tie.
Los Blaugranas squeezed past the Magpies 2-1 in the league phase, extending their winning streak against the English powerhouse to four matches.
Heavily fancied to strengthen that dominant record, Hansi Flick’s charges will be looking to prove their European credentials, while Newcastle will hope to upset the odds.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal
After a stellar league-phase campaign, it’s hard to envisage anything other than a routine progression for Arsenal, who could be standing on the brink of a historic season.
In addition to their remarkable European exploits, the Gunners are leading the way in the Premier League, as Mikel Arteta aims to lead the North London powerhouse to their first-ever double.
Whether Bayer Leverkusen could throw a spanner in the works remains highly questionable, even though Die Werkself eased past Olympiacos in the play-offs.
Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting CP
Bodo/Glimt’s fairytale continues, as the Norwegian champions brace up for their maiden appearance in the Champions League last 16 after beating none other than Inter in the previous round.
In doing so, Kjetil Knutsen’s men have become the first Norwegian side to progress from a knockout tie in Europe’s elite competition since 1987.
Looking to end Bodo/Glimt’s dream will be high-flying Sporting CP, whose seventh-place finish in the league phase caught many by surprise.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea
PSG’s title defence faces a formidable challenge in the shape of Chelsea, a side they last faced in the Champions League back in the 2015/16 round of 16.
Les Parisiens have successfully negotiated their last two knockout ties against the Stamford Bridge giants, but the Blues emerged as 3-0 winners in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
It’ll be exciting to see if former Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, now in charge of Chelsea, can mastermind another shock and overcome the French champions.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City
All eyes will be on this mouth-watering showdown as Real Madrid take on Man City in what promises to be one of the most eagerly anticipated ties of the last-16.
Meetings between the record-time European champions and Pep Guardiola’s star-studded side have become a recurring theme in the Champions League of late.
Indeed, the two clubs have faced each other at least once in six of the last seven editions of the Champions League, including this season, as Man City ran out 2-1 winners at the Santiago Bernabeu in December.
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