The draw for the Champions League round of 16 on Friday produced a number of mouthwatering blockbuster ties. Manchester City and Real Madrid will face each other again, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain will renew their clash from the Club World Cup final, and Arne Slot’s Liverpool will once again come up against Galatasaray.
Slot already lost 1-0 away to the Turkish champions in the league phase and will now face the team again, the side Noa Lang now plays for.
Liverpool know they will have to be sharper in Istanbul this time, having struggled to create clear chances on their previous visit, and Arne Slot will be eager to show his side have learned from that narrow defeat. Galatasaray arrive with confidence too, after navigating the play-off round by knocking out Juventus, underlining once again how dangerous they can be in Europe when the atmosphere rises at home. For Slot, the tie comes with an extra storyline because of Lang’s presence, adding a familiar face and another threat Liverpool will have to manage over two legs.
Barcelona were also paired with an opponent they already met earlier in the competition, drawing Newcastle United again. That previous meeting in September ended 1-2 at St James’ Park, a result that gave the Spanish champions a psychological edge, but this rematch comes with different circumstances. Barça will have to cope without Frenkie de Jong for the time being, which affects their control in midfield and could force a tactical adjustment, particularly away from home against Newcastle’s intensity. Newcastle, meanwhile, will feel they have unfinished business after that home defeat and will look to make the most of their pace and physicality in transition to trouble Barcelona’s back line.
As expected, the draw served up several genuine blockbusters, none bigger than Manchester City versus Real Madrid. As goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had feared, the two giants will meet in the knockout phase for the fifth consecutive year, turning the tie into a modern Champions League classic. Last season, Los Blancos were too strong for Pep Guardiola’s side in the play-off round, once again showing their knack for managing two-legged European battles. City did get a measure of revenge in December, winning at the Bernabéu during the league phase, and that result will fuel belief that they can finally eliminate Madrid at this stage again. Still, Real’s experience, their ability to suffer under pressure, and their clinical edge in decisive moments mean the margin will be thin, with details like set pieces, game management, and discipline likely to decide it.
Another headline tie pits title holders Paris Saint-Germain against world champions Chelsea, a meeting loaded with narrative and star power. The clubs already know each other well on the big stage, and this matchup brings contrasting styles and ambitions, with PSG aiming to defend their crown and Chelsea looking to translate their global success into a deep Champions League run. Over two legs, squad depth, rotation, and the ability to handle momentum swings will be crucial, especially if the first match is tight and the second becomes a high-pressure finish.
A lot had already been clear after the draw for the play-off round. The winners from that phase knew they had two possible opponents and on Friday one of those options was removed, giving the bracket its final shape. The path to the final is therefore already mapped out, adding an extra layer of intrigue because teams can now see not only their next hurdle but also what might come later. Liverpool, for example, already know that if they get past Galatasaray, they will meet the winner of PSG versus Chelsea in the quarter-finals, and could then potentially run into the winner of City versus Real after that. It is the kind of route that can define a season, with each round raising the difficulty level and leaving little room for off nights.
There are also ties beyond the glamour matchups that could prove decisive in shaping the quarter-final picture. Surprise package Bodø/Glimt, fresh from their impressive victory over Internazionale, could have been drawn against City but instead were paired with Sporting Portugal. On paper it looks like a relatively favourable draw for the Norwegians compared with the nightmare scenario of facing Guardiola’s side, yet Sporting remain a demanding opponent with technical quality and European experience. Bodø/Glimt’s energy, organisation, and fearless approach have already made them one of the stories of the tournament, and this tie offers them a realistic chance to keep that run going if they can handle the tactical discipline Sporting will demand.
Tottenham Hotspur also have an opportunity to give their season a major lift, drawing Atlético Madrid. With Netherlands internationals Micky van de Ven and Xavi Simons in their squad, Spurs have the pace and athleticism to challenge Atlético, but they will need patience and efficiency in the final third against one of Europe’s most stubborn defensive units. Atlético rarely give anything away for free in knockout football, so Tottenham’s ability to avoid frustration and protect themselves from counters will be central to their hopes of progressing.
Bayern Munich, meanwhile, were paired with Atalanta, the side featuring Marten de Roon. It is a classic contrast of European heavyweights against a team known for intensity, pressing, and direct attacking play. Bayern have the pedigree and the expectation to go deep, but Atalanta’s aggressive style can make any opponent uncomfortable, especially if they manage to turn the tie into a high-tempo contest. Over two legs, Bayern’s composure and experience should count, yet they will have to earn it against an opponent that thrives on disrupting rhythm and forcing mistakes.
With the bracket set and the road to the final already visible, the Champions League knockout phase looks primed for drama from the very first round. Familiar rivalries, rematches from earlier in the competition, and a few dangerous outsiders combine to create a schedule that offers little respite. Every club now knows not just who stands in their way next, but also the scale of the challenge that could follow, and that clarity often sharpens both pressure and ambition as Europe’s biggest prize moves into its decisive months.
Updated: 11:52, 27 Feb 2026
