Man City vs Real Madrid headlines Champions League last-16 draw

The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw has produced a series of blockbuster ties, with Europe’s elite now mapping their paths toward the 2025–26 final.

Defending giants Manchester City and Real Madrid will meet once again in a heavyweight clash, continuing their recent history of dramatic knockout encounters.

Meanwhile, Chelsea face French champions Paris Saint-Germain, while Newcastle United take on FC Barcelona in another eye-catching tie.

Elsewhere, Liverpool have been drawn against Galatasaray, Tottenham Hotspur will battle Atlético Madrid, and Arsenal are set to face Bayer Leverkusen.

For Arsenal, the draw presents a promising opportunity. They travel to Germany to play Leverkusen for the first time since their 4–1 win in 2002.

Although Leverkusen lifted the Bundesliga title two years ago under Xabi Alonso, they are no longer at that peak level.

After finishing second last season, they currently sit sixth domestically, now managed by Kasper Hjulmand following Erik ten Hag’s short-lived tenure, which ended in September.

If Mikel Arteta’s side progress, they will meet either Bodø/Glimt or Sporting CP in the quarter-finals — a favourable route compared to the possibility of facing Manchester City at that stage.

Arsenal are positioned in the opposite half of the draw to Atalanta, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Real Madrid, PSG and Chelsea.

That means a potential semi-final opponent would be one of Tottenham, Atlético, Barcelona or Newcastle.

The bracket also fuels speculation over a possible El Clásico on Europe’s biggest stage. Barcelona qualified directly for the Round of 16 after finishing fifth in the league phase.

Real Madrid, by contrast, had to navigate a playoff against Benfica, winning 1–0 in the first leg and 2–1 in the second to secure progression.

With Madrid placed on the silver side of the draw and Barcelona on the blue side, the earliest the two Spanish rivals could meet would be in the final — provided both advance through their respective challenges.

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