Ucl Draw reshapes last-16 route as managers respond
The ucl draw on Friday set the last-16 matchups that will define the knockout pathway, and Premier League managers were already speaking about the implications as reactions landed across the division; the ucl draw also fed into Europa and Conference League pairings announced at the same time.
Ucl Draw: Last-16 matchups and the pathway
The Champions League last-16 draw paired Manchester City with Real Madrid, drew Chelsea against Paris Saint-Germain, and matched Newcastle with Barcelona, shaping the route to the final and prompting discussion about round of 16 dates and the wider bracket.
Europa League and Conference League pairings
The Europa League draw set Nottingham Forest to face Midtjylland and Aston Villa to face Lille, while the Conference League draw paired Crystal Palace with AEK Larnaca — all fixtures that run alongside the Champions League knockout calendar.
Managers speaking after the draw
On Friday, Chelsea's Liam Rosenior and Arsenal's Mikel Arteta were among the Premier League managers speaking after the Champions League draw was made, offering immediate reactions as teams consider their own domestic preparations while Europe’s knockout phase approaches.
Keith Andrews on Brentford's progress and contract
Brentford boss Keith Andrews reflected on his seven months in charge, saying the period "felt quick" and that he has "loved it, even when it was hard at the start. " Andrews said Brentford remain "a really close-knit group of staff and players" and warned that sustaining what has been built takes work. On the club's culture he added that it is "embedded in the club" and was a key reason he wanted to come, while acknowledging that summer change can create "a little bit of uncertainty. " Andrews confirmed he has signed a new deal keeping him at the club until 2032 and said he feels "very honoured" to lead the club forward as its face.
Fitness updates from Brentford and wider team news
Andrews gave a fitness update naming Michael Kayode, Aaron Hickey and Josh Dasilva by player: Michael is back in training and "will be in and around the squad, " Aaron "came off against Brighton" with an issue and it is unclear if he will be ready for tomorrow, and Josh has "been back in the group" with the manager urging caution over placing too much pressure on him. Premier League team news items circulated alongside the draw included mentions of Havertz, Dowman & White; De Ligt & Mount; Cucurella; Alcaraz; Doku back in training; Wirtz & Frimpong; Guimaraes & Miley; and Lewis Cook.
FPL and fan reaction
Fantasy Premier League coverage will feature FPL Heisenberg at 15: 30 GMT today to answer questions ahead of Gameweek 28; readers were invited to send questions the 'Get Involved' tool on the page. One reaction to the draw summed up divergent expectations: "Looking at that draw I have a feeling it'll only be Arsenal that make the quarterfinals, probably Liverpool too. Just have a feeling Real will turn up against City!"
Written by Charlotte Coates, Adwaidh Rajan, George Booth & Ailsa Cowen.
The next confirmed touchpoint is FPL Heisenberg’s session at 15: 30 GMT today ahead of Gameweek 28, and clubs will now prepare for the round of 16 fixtures set by the draw.
