Champions League holders Barcelona will take on Arsenal in the last 16 in what will be a repeat of the 2006 final, while Russian champions Zenit St. Petersburg have been drawn against Benfica, and Chelsea are to again face French side PSG.
They say there’s never an easy fixture in the Champions League knockout stages and the draw for the last 16 today proved that in spades.
Barcelona, the favorites to become the first team to retain the Champions League crown, have been drawn against Arsenal in what will be a repeat of the 2006 final. The Catalans came out on top almost 10 years ago at the Stade de France, with this year’s tie the reward for Arsene Wenger’s side sneaking out of Group F by the skin of their teeth on the last day of the group stage.
Russian side Zenit, who have lost just the one game in the Champions League so far this season, have a favorable draw against Benfica, with Andre Villas-Boas heading home to Portugal with a great chance of taking his side through to the quarter finals for the first time in their history.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid will face Serie A side Roma. Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time Champions League top scorer, bagged an extraordinary 11 goals in the six group matches and will fancy his chances of adding to his tally as Los Blancos aim to build on La Decima.
READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo sets new Champions League goal scoring record
Although hovering near the relegation zone in the Premier League, Chelsea have enjoyed this season’s European campaign, finishing top of Group G earlier this month. They will once again come up against French champions PSG, who sent Jose Mourinho’s side crashing out of last season’s competition at the same stage.
Manchester City, who are competing at this stage in the competition for only the second time in their history, face relative minnows Dynamo Kiev. German giants Bayern Munich have been pitted against last year’s beaten finalists Juventus, while fellow Bundesliga side Wolfsburg play Belgian team Gent.
Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, finalists in 2014, will take on PSV Eindhoven.
Champions League last 16 ties:
Gent v Wolfsburg
Roma v Real Madrid
PSV v Atletico Madrid
Dynamo Kiev v Manchester City
Arsenal v Barcelona
Juventus v Bayern Munich
PSG v Chelsea
Benfica v Zenit
The first legs are scheduled to take place on February 16/17 and 23/24, with the group winners playing away from home. The return legs take place on March 8/9 and 15/16.