Liverpool face PSG as Champions League last-16 draw units up Madrid derby

Liverpool will face Paris Saint-Germain in a Champions League last-16 tie that gives a major hurdle of their try and raise the trophy for the primary time since 2019.

It’s the toughest-looking project of these offered to the Premier League’s three representatives. Arsenal will fancy their possibilities of overcoming PSV Eindhoven over two legs, whereas Aston Villa will probably be favoured to navigate a rematch with the shock packages Membership Brugge for a spot within the quarter-finals. The standout tie by a long way, although, is a Madrid derby between age-old rivals Actual and Atlético.

Within the Europa League final 16, Tottenham will renew acquaintances with AZ Alkmaar whereas Manchester United are tasked with a difficult-looking conflict in opposition to Actual Sociedad. There’s a go to to Turkey for Rangers, who play José Mourinho’s Fenerbahce. Within the Convention League, Chelsea have been drawn with Copenhagen.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool aspect will host the second leg of their assembly with PSG at Anfield, giving them a possible benefit in opposition to opponents who’ve clicked into type after a stuttering begin on this season’s competitors. PSG put 10 targets previous their home rivals Brest within the playoffs and completed the league section with spectacular wins over Manchester Metropolis and Stuttgart. Nonetheless, Liverpool can level to a league section through which they beat Actual Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and Milan.

Arsenal, who could have their second leg at house, play PSV for the third consecutive season. These earlier conferences have been in Europa League and Champions League group-stage video games, Mikel Arteta’s aspect successful two and shedding as soon as earlier than most just lately drawing 1-1 in December 2023. The Eredivisie aspect are buoyant after finishing a comeback win over Juventus within the playoffs and likewise beat an under-strength Liverpool on match-day eight of the league section.

For Villa, a first-leg journey to Brugge will revive reminiscences of their weird league section defeat in opposition to the identical opponents in November. That match was actually handed to the Belgian aspect when Tyrone Mings picked the ball up from a brief goal-kick, considering play had not restarted, and was punished when Hans Vanaken scored the ensuing penalty. Brugge performed some distinctive soccer in overcoming a fancied Atalanta 5-2 on mixture within the playoffs.

Ought to Liverpool and Villa each prevail, they are going to face one another for an all-English quarter-final in April. If Arsenal undergo they are going to play the winners of Actual’s mouthwatering conflict with Atlético, which is a rerun of the 2014 and 2016 finals. The reigning champions Actual will host the primary leg after being compelled to barter a playoff with Manchester Metropolis. A Madrid derby was final performed on this competitors eight years in the past, when Actual beat Atlético within the 2016-17 semi-finals.

Within the decide of the remaining ties Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen take their Bundesliga rivalry on to the European stage. Vincent Kompany’s Bayern sit eight factors away from their opponents on the high of the home league however have been lucky to squeak previous Celtic in incomes this tie. Xabi Alonso and Leverkusen will hope to learn from internet hosting the second leg.

Feyenoord will face Inter in an enormous early take a look at for Robin van Persie, a shock appointment as head coach of his former membership. They may hope to comply with the blueprint set by their win over Milan within the playoff spherical. The winner of that tie will play whoever comes by the all-German assembly.

The opposite two last-16 ties pit Barcelona in opposition to Benfica and Borussia Dortmund with Lille. The respective winners will meet within the final eight. The last-16 video games will probably be performed on 4-5 and 11-12 of March, with the quarter-finals on 8-9 and 15-16 April.

Within the Europa League, Spurs beat AZ 1-0 at house within the league section and should now try and outdo the Eredivisie’s fifth-placed aspect over two legs, the second of which will probably be performed at house. The winner will play Ajax or Eintracht Frankfurt within the quarter-finals.

Manchester United’s assembly with Actual Sociedad, who’re eleventh in La Liga, will revive reminiscences of group stage ties in 2022 that have been each received by the away aspect. The second leg will happen at Outdated Trafford. Ought to they undergo, United will play both Lyon or the Romanian membership FCSB. If Rangers come by their fiendish take a look at in opposition to Fenerbahce they are going to meet Roma or Athletic Bilbao.