The draw for this season's Champions League round of 16 has just been completed and it has treated us to some interesting match-ups. The first eye-catching fixture will see Liverpool lock horns with Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.
The reigning champions had a tricky group-stage campaign, losing to Napoli on the opening day and needed a win over Salzburg on the final Matchday to secure progression. Diego Simeone's inconsistent but deadly side now await them in the knockout stage which will be the first of several tests in the Reds campaign to successfully defend their title.
The other giants from Madrid, Real Madrid, also got a trick draw. Given that they finished second behind PSG in their group, the 13-time champions were bound to face a tough team and they got it, drawing Man City.
The #UCLdraw for this season's round of 16 is over. Here are the match-ups for the knockout stage.
— LiveSoccerTV.com (@LiveSoccerTV) December 16, 2019
Happy with the result?
@ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/WBbcqJpvgl
Both sides have not been at their best this season. In the Premier League, Guardiola's side have suffered four defeats and are 14 points adrift of the lead. Los Blancos, meanwhile, are level on points with league leaders Barcelona but have struggled in Europe this term, racking up only 11 points from the six games they have played so far.
Man City aren't the only Premier League side in for a rough time in the last 16, as Chelsea were paired against the champions of Germany Bayern Munich. One thing that will have the Blues worried is their shaky defense, especially given that they will be facing the deadliest striker in Europe at the moment, Robert Lewandowski.
PSG will take on Dortmund, with the French champions traveling to Germany for the first leg. This means Thomas Tuchel will be returning to the Signal Iduna Park, the ground where he made a name for himself as one of the most exciting young coaches in football. Elsewhere, Barcelona will battle with Napoli for a spot in the quarter-finals, Lyon will be tasked with stopping Juventus, and Atalanta and Valencia will duel for progression. Check out the best tweets and reactions to the draw.
Atletico Madrid after drawing Liverpool. #UCLDraw pic.twitter.com/mM1iQIdDCF
— Jay (@JayNtuli) December 16, 2019
Julian Nagelsmann was 16 years old when José Mourinho won his first Champions League title with FC Porto in 2004.
— Football Stuff (@FootbalIStuff) December 16, 2019
Now they go head-to-head in the last 16. #UCLDraw pic.twitter.com/lJfMnoAmXG
Real Madrid after being drawn with Manchester City in the round of 16 #UCLdrawpic.twitter.com/zLyY7OeUPE
— (@Ola__mi) December 16, 2019
Bayern Munich 10-2 Arsenal
— Your Neighbor (@Fiks_daniel) December 16, 2019
Bayern Munich 10-3 Tottenham
Both Clubs are based in London
Bayern v Chelsea
Chelsea fans are you Thinking what I'm thinking??
Bayern 10-4 Chelsea
Rip London #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/K9lJQpMqAp
Frank Lampard wondering how Chelsea is going to stop Gnabry, Lewandowski and Coutinho with Kurt Zouma in defence #UCLDraw : pic.twitter.com/H9Sry5ucl7
— Ediye (@iamOkon) December 16, 2019
Someone called it the bald derby#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/aOSnW6NwFm
— Shamsudeen (@thegr8jefe) December 16, 2019
Man City owners to UEFA after paying For Lyon but getting Real Madrid #UCLdrawpic.twitter.com/1eiBqDY4Nb
— King Nonny (@Zaddy_nomso) December 16, 2019