Man City vs. Real Madrid, PSG vs. Chelsea: Champions League Round of 16 Fixtures
In a thrilling announcement made by UEFA in Nyon, Switzerland, the fixtures for the Round of 16 in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League have been confirmed. Notably, Manchester City will go head-to-head with Real Madrid, while defending champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will face Chelsea.
Champions League Round of 16 Fixtures
The confirmed matches for the Round of 16 are as follows:
- Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea
- Galatasaray vs Liverpool
- Real Madrid vs Manchester City
- Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
- Newcastle vs Barcelona
- Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur
- Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting Lisbon
- Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal
Key Matchups and Historical Context
The clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid marks their fourth consecutive knockout round encounter. Last season, Real Madrid eliminated City in the last 16, continuing a heated rivalry that has seen them play 15 times, with both teams winning five matches and five ending in draws. Earlier this season, City secured a 2-1 victory against Madrid in the league stage.
On the other hand, PSG will be looking for redemption against Chelsea after losing the FIFA Club World Cup final to them last year, a match that ended 3-0. Historically, these clubs have faced each other in the Champions League, with Chelsea having the upper hand in previous knockout rounds.
Match Schedule
The fixtures for the Round of 16 will take place on:
- First Legs: March 10-11, 2026
- Second Legs: March 17-18, 2026
In this round, the top-seeded teams will enjoy home advantage in the second legs. The upcoming matches promise excitement as the teams vie for a place in the quarterfinals.
Path to the Quarterfinals
The potential paths to the quarterfinals have been laid out. The draw indicates:
- Winner of PSG vs Chelsea will face Liverpool or Galatasaray.
- Winner of Real Madrid vs Manchester City will play either Bayern Munich or Atalanta.
- Newcastle or Barcelona will face Tottenham or Atletico Madrid.
- Sporting Lisbon or Bodo/Glimt will compete against Arsenal or Bayer Leverkusen.
As anticipation builds for these pivotal matches, the Champions League season progresses towards its climax, culminating in the final scheduled for May 30, 2026, in Budapest. Fans around the world eagerly await the kickoff of these high-stakes encounters, where glory and defeat hang in the balance.
