The last 16 stage is arguably the stage of make or breaks for the teams in UEFA Champions League. While the losers of the tie go out from the tournament, unlike the group stage losers who dropped to the UEFA Europa League, while the winners proceed to face each other in the further stage.
Real Madrid finished second in their group in a similar position to Juventus, FC Basel, Sevilla, Chelsea, Shakhtar and the Portuguese side Porto.
On the other hand, Manchester United, PSG, Roma, Barcelona, Liverpool, Manchester City, Besiktas and Tottenham Hotspur topped their respective groups.
One important component before the draw was that two clubs from the same country could not draw each other.
Real Madrid against Paris St Germain:
The Spanish champions and Champions League holders Real Madrid drew against the high-scoring Paris St Germain side.
It would be Neymar against Ronaldo in the last 16 stage, while Edinson Cavani and Mbappe would be as crucial as the Brazilian for the Parisians while Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema would be aiming to put the ball across the net.
With a stroke of luck, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side are against the Portuguese champions Porto in what would a slightly easier tie compared to the other teams.
Juventus against Tottenham Hotspur:
A stern defence of Juventus would go against their group toppers Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester United was drawn against a tricky opponent in the form of Sevilla while Manchester City faces FC Basel.
FC Shakhtar Donetsk would face the Italian test AS Roma, while Bayern Munich would go against the Turkish side Besiktas. One of the other famous match-ups in the tournament would be England’s Chelsea who is drawn against the Spanish side FC Barcelona.
This match would be reminiscent of the 2009 and 2012 encounters between the two sides. The winners of the last 16 stage would then face each other in the quarter-finals.
