Real Madrid and Man City Clash Again; Arsenal Miss Champions League Giants
In a thrilling continuation of their storied rivalry, Manchester City and Real Madrid have drawn each other in the Champions League knockout phase for the sixth time since the 2019-20 season. This matchup follows their group stage meeting in December, where Manchester City defeated the record 15-time European champions 2-1.
Champions League Knockout Phase Matchups
The recent draw for the Champions League’s last 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals has set the stage for exciting matchups. Manchester City’s Director of Football, Hugo Viana, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming game, describing it as “like a final.”
Other Key Matchups
- Paris Saint-Germain vs. Chelsea: This ties back to last year’s intense Club World Cup final.
- Arsenal vs. Bayer Leverkusen: Arsenal, having a flawless record with eight wins, aims to avoid the tournament’s giants.
- Bayern Munich vs. Atalanta: Bayern, who finished second in their group, faces Atalanta.
- Newcastle United vs. Barcelona: A rematch after Barcelona won their group stage opener.
- Liverpool vs. Galatasaray: Another intriguing matchup in the draw.
- Tottenham Hotspur vs. Atletico Madrid: Spurs face a tough challenge from the Spanish club.
- Bodo/Glimt vs. Sporting Lisbon: The Norwegian team has already made headlines this season.
Paris Saint-Germain, the current Champions League holders, hope to regain form this season after a shaky start. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s trajectory could lead them to face either Sporting Lisbon or Bodo/Glimt should they advance past Leverkusen.
As the quarter-finals approach, fans anticipate another thrilling chapter in the Champions League saga, especially with the clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the forefront of the conversation.
