Champions League draw R16: Arsenal, Barcelona, ​​PSG out?

The path to Wembley for the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League final is now open, with the draw for the round of 16 taking place on Monday.

Reigning champions Manchester City and rivals Bayern Munich have been given the best of chances to finish with friendlies against FC Copenhagen and Lazio, respectively. Real Madrid have to face RB Leipzig, while Barcelona and Napoli meet in a tough clash between the Spanish and Italian champions.

But with several of the world’s richest clubs unfulfilled this season – Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Juventus all absent – the draw looks more open than ever. So can one of the outsiders benefit from a good draw and use it to take them to the final stages and maybe even a run at Wembley?

Here are 16 round relationships and how to make them.

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FC PORTO vs. ARSENAL

While this guide looks good for Arsenal’s hopes of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since the 2009-10 season, the Premier League leaders must be wary of an experienced and talented Porto side – none more so. All-time defender Pepê, who became the oldest player in the Champions League at the age of 40 with three goals in Group H.

Only Spanish giants Barcelona have taken points from Sergio Conceicao’s team in the group stages, while Porto have to settle for second place – on points with Barca.

Arsenal will be favorites thanks to Mikel Arteta’s young side leading the way in the Premier League, but Porto are a formidable opponent with Brazilian midfielders Galeno and Evanilson scoring four goals each in the group.

Having been knocked out of the Europa League by Sporting CP last season, Arsenal have learned all too well about their Portuguese opposition’s ability to upset, and Porto are used to success in this competition. The Gunners will be in danger unless they treat Conceicao’s team with respect. After going through a soft group, this will be a step up for Arsenal.

Winners: Porto

NAPLES vs. BARCELONA

Undoubtedly a round tie, with the Italian champions facing the Spanish champions. Although they couldn’t replicate the form they showed on the way to winning their titles last season.

Napoli are unpredictable and sacked Luciano Spalletti after Rudi Garcia’s six-month stint, before replacing him with former Inter Milan and Watford midfielder Walter Mazzarri in November, but they still have the threat of Victor Osimhen. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Barcelona finished top of their group, but defeats against Shakhtar Donetsk and Antwerp show their insecurities, so Napoli will be confident of winning the first leg in Naples.

Both sides showed defensive weaknesses during the group stages. With a stronger attack than defense, it is possible to score a higher goal. It’s hard to call right now, the home form in February may dictate who wins, but the way it goes, it will be interesting.

Winner: Napoli

PSG vs. REAL SOCIEDAD

PSG were lucky to make it to the round of 16 after a disappointing campaign in Group F where they won just two games. A stoppage-time penalty against Newcastle at home on the fifth day saw a 1-1 draw that saw Luis Enrique’s side finish bottom of the group, knocking third-placed AC Milan out of contention. – title history.

But while PSG’s perennial rivals in the competition could inspire many to declare themselves favorites in the tournament, they face a tough opponent. Reallywho exited the group with the best defensive record of any club having conceded just two goals in six games.

Imanol Alguacil’s side have not scored much either, scoring just seven times in the group, but they are a good attacking team and will be ready and composed when they face PSG.

The French players are no longer the exciting group of star players built by the Qatari owners, but they still have Kylian Mbappé. However, the French player has been disappointing during the club season and seems to be counting down until his contract expires next summer. Really don’t be afraid of PSG.

Winner: Real Sociedad

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INTER MILAN vs. ATLETICO MADRID

They are two teams who have recently lost in the Champions League final — Inter last season; Atletico in 2014 and 2016 – but both have real ambitions to do well this time if they avoid the favourites.

Both went through the group stage unbeaten, so you can expect two hard-fought games at this stage as coaches Simone Inzaghi and Diego Simeone try to outdo each other.

Serie A leaders Inter are the team in form right now, with Inzaghi’s side four points clear at the top of the Serie A table. Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram are threatening goals, with Hakan Calhanoglu also weighing in with midfield goals.

But in Antoine Griezmann and Álvaro Morata, Atletico have two leading players in the Champions League – along with Erling Haaland of Man City and Man United. Rasmus Hojlund and five goals – and remain the best defensive outfit under Simeone.

The quality of the coaches and forwards in both groups is pointing to higher liabilities, but which will be very close. Maybe even go to the penalties.

Winner: Atletico Madrid

PSV EINDHOVEN vs. Company opinion BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Dortmund’s history in the Champions League and their progress as Group F winners make them favorites for this game, but PSV are the only team in Europe’s top leagues with a 100% home record and have scored 56 goals in 16 Eredivisie games. so far this season.

Coach Peter Bosz, who led Ajax to the 2017 Europa League final against Manchester United, has transformed PSV with a combination of exciting youngsters – Johan Bakayoko, Ricardo Pepi and Isaac Babadi among them – as well as experienced stars including Hirving Lozano, Luuk de Jong. and Patrick van Aanholt.

Pepi, Malik Tillman and Sergiño Dest give PSV a strong showing for the USMNT, but their ability to cause an upset against Dortmund depends on how they resist the interest of rival clubs in their young stars in January.

If PSV can keep their squad together and maintain their home form, they will see Dortmund as an opponent to beat, having avoided the heavyweights of the last 16 such as Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

But Dortmund will also see PSV as a good draw and Edin Terzic’s side should come away as winners.

Winners: Borussia Dortmund

LAZIO vs. BAYERN MUNICH

Bayern will see this draw as a good way to advance to the quarterfinals and, for Lazio, it could be a matter of doing everything they can to slow it down.

Thomas Tuchel’s side reached the knockout stages as easy winners in Group A, while Lazio went out as runners-up to Atletico Madrid in Group E, ahead of Feyenoord and Celtic – the two weakest teams in the competition.

With Lazio struggling in mid-table in Serie A, manager Maurizio Sarri’s immediate challenge will be to improve results to ensure they are still in top form when they face Tuchel in the New Year.

With Harry Kane on the sidelines at Bayern, the Bundesliga champions have established themselves alongside Real Madrid as one of the main threats to Manchester City’s Champions League hopes. And while Lazio will be supported by the home crowd in Rome, with the likes of Ciro Immobile, Luis Alberto and Pedro in their squad, it’s impossible to find a reason to back them to beat Bayern over two legs.

Winner: Bayern Munich

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FC COPENHAGEN vs. MANCHESTER CITY

Although Copenhagen reached the round of 16 thanks to their 4-3 win over Manchester United in Group A, don’t expect the Danish club to repeat their shock City performance.

Coach Jacob Neestrup also led his side to a 0-0 draw against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, so the 35-year-old deserves a lot of credit for Copenhagen’s achievements so far this season, but European champions City will be a step up. for his part.

Roony Bardghji, the 18-year-old who scored a late goal against United, is a Copenhagen player to watch and a youngster who could move to a top club like City. But over the two legs, this will be a welcome boost for Pep Guardiola’s side, who will be comfortable avoiding the likes of PSG and Napoli this season.

City can expect a loud and passionate atmosphere at Parken Stadium for the first leg, but they have nothing to fear from the tie itself.

STUDENTS: Manchester City

RB LEIPZIG vs. REAL MADRID

This could be a challenge for Carlo Ancelotti’s team, especially as they travel to Germany for the first leg with memories of last season’s 3-2 defeat against Leipzig in the group.

With Jude Bellingham emerging as the club’s star player, Real Madrid have the players to make this breakthrough, but Leipzig have been a fixture in the Champions League in recent years and manager Marco Rose could make life difficult.

In attack, Loïs Openda, Benjamin Sesko, Xavi Simons and Dani Olmo all excelled in the squad, while Timo Werner, despite still searching for his first goal of the competition, remains a threat. But this could be a serious threat to Madrid if they allow Leipzig the chance to hurt them.

Madrid have their weaknesses and temporary injuries to Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba and Éder Militão hurt them defensively, but Vinícius Júnior needs to recover from his thigh injury to play this tie, to progress.

Winner: Real Madrid