Liverpool Set for a Clash with PSG in Champions League Round of 16
Liverpool is set to face off against the French champions, Paris Saint-Germain, in the highly anticipated last 16 of the Champions League. The draw, held on Friday, also revealed that Arsenal will go head-to-head with PSV Eindhoven. Aston Villa will once again take on Club Bruges, having previously suffered a defeat at the Belgian club during the league phase of this revamped tournament.
For Liverpool, this matchup with PSG represents a challenging draw. Under the guidance of coach Arne Slot, Liverpool dominated the league phase, clinching the top spot by winning seven out of eight matches. However, PSG’s unexpected struggle, finishing in a lowly 15th place, means they now stand as formidable opponents in the knockout stages.
The Reds have a bit of history with PSG, as their only prior encounters in the Champions League took place during the group stage of the 2018-19 season. Liverpool triumphed at home with a score of 3-2 but faced disappointment away, losing 2-1.
Arsenal, having faced PSV in the group stage last season, secured a convincing victory at home with a 4-0 scoreline and managed a 1-1 draw in the away leg. Meanwhile, Aston Villa’s recent history against Club Bruges includes a narrow 1-0 defeat away from home in November.
In a notable absence, Manchester City missed out on the round of 16 for the first time in 12 years after being knocked out by Real Madrid, who are the reigning champions and favorites. Real Madrid will now meet their local rivals, Atletico Madrid, for a chance to progress to the quarter-finals.
The first legs of the last-16 ties are scheduled for March 4-5, with the return legs taking place a week later. The Champions League bracket also clarifies the potential paths for each club as they aim for a coveted spot in the final.
Champions League Last-16 Draw in Full
- Club Bruges vs Aston Villa
- Borussia Dortmund vs Lille
- Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid
- Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen
- PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal
- Feyenoord vs Inter Milan
- Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool
- Benfica vs Barcelona
Arsenal’s Route to the Champions League Final
If Arsenal manages to overcome PSV, their next challenge will be against the victor of the tie between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals. The potential semi-final opponents for Arsenal include PSG, Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Club Bruges. Importantly, Arsenal is on the opposite side of the draw from Bayern Munich and Barcelona, meaning they would not face these two giants until a possible final clash. The Gunners are eager to secure their first Champions League title, and they are currently regarded as joint-third favorites alongside Barcelona, trailing only behind Real Madrid and Liverpool.
Aston Villa’s Route to the Champions League Final
Aston Villa knows that a win against Club Bruges would set them up for a quarter-final showdown with either Liverpool or PSG. Should they advance, their potential semi-final opponents include Arsenal, PSV, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid. Villa is viewed as an underdog in their pursuit of the final in Munich, but like Arsenal and Liverpool, they find themselves on the opposite side of the draw from Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Liverpool’s Route to the Champions League Final
As the second favorites for the Champions League title, just behind Real Madrid, Liverpool’s quest for their seventh European Cup will not be an easy one. Should they successfully navigate past PSG, they will then face either Aston Villa or Club Bruges in the quarter-finals. Potential semi-final opponents for Liverpool include Arsenal, PSV, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid. Like Villa, Liverpool is also on the opposite side of the draw from Barcelona and Bayern Munich, with Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund standing as possible final adversaries.
Champions League Knockout Key Dates
- Last 16: March 4-5 and March 11-12
- Quarter-finals: April 8-9 and April 15-16
- Semi-finals: April 29-30 and May 6-7
When is the Champions League Final?
The Champions League final is set to take place on May 31 at the Allianz Arena in Munich, home to Bayern Munich. This iconic stadium last hosted the final in 2012, where Chelsea triumphed over Bayern Munich in a dramatic penalty shootout, marking their first-ever European Cup victory, with Didier Drogba famously scoring the decisive penalty kick in front of a home crowd.
