Real Madrid, Man City get favourable ties in the UCL draw
Champions League 2023-24 Draw
Reigning champions Manchester City will battle it out against FC Copenhagen in this season’s round of 16, while European giants Real Madrid will take the field against RB Leipzig.
Copenhagen, who earned a remarkable win against Manchester United on their way to finishing just behind group A leaders Bayern Munich, are the lowest ranked side in the competition.
Elsewhere, Xavi’s Barcelona were drawn to square off with Napoli, known for being two former clubs of Argentine legend Diego Maradona.
PSV Eindhoven are drawn against Borussia Dortmund where we will witness US stars Ricardo Pepi and Sergiño Dest (PSV) join forces against international teammate Giovanni Reyna (BVB).
Arsenal, in their first Round of 16 appearance since the 2016-17 season, will face two time winners FC Porto, while Bayern Munich will be up against Lazio.
Paris Saint Germain, who finished second in Group F behind Borussia Dortmund, who drew with Spanish team Real Sociedad.
With the match up against Leipzig, Real Madrid suffered another injury blow, as their star defender David Alaba tore an ACL in their 4-1 win over Villareal on Sunday.
Madrid’s director of institutional relations Emilio Butragueño said the club is uncertain whether they will replace the defender in the forthcoming January transfer window.
“As Carlo [Ancelotti] said, we'll see in the next few days what we decide [to do]. The team has shown it's capable of facing any challenge. We'll wait over the next few days and see what we do," he said.
"We're facing a difficult situation; it's surprising to have so many injuries, and serious ones. [Thibaut] Courtois, [Eder] Militão and Alaba will be out now. Despite that, we're in a fantastic moment. But obviously the injury to Alaba is a setback; we'll have to work together to overcome it."
The round of 16 begins with group winners hosting the first leg fixtures, which will be played Feb 13, 14, 20 and 21.
The final will be played at the Wembley Stadium in London on June 1.
Full UCL round-of-16 draw
Porto (Portugal) vs. Arsenal (England)
Napoli (Italy) vs. Barcelona (Spain)
Paris Saint-Germain (France) vs. Real Sociedad (Spain)
Inter Milan (Italy) vs. Atletico Madrid (Spain)
PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands) vs. Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
Lazio (Italy) vs. Bayern Munich (Germany)
Copenhagen (Denmark) vs. Manchester City (England)
RB Leipzig (Germany) vs. Real Madrid (Spain)
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