Champions League Round of 16 heats up with Real Madrid–Manchester City rivalry renewed; PSG eye Chelsea revenge

One of the standout ties saw Manchester City paired with Real Madrid yet again, continuing a rivalry that has defined recent European campaigns.

Updated on: Feb 27, 2026, 17:10:00 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 lineup is now confirmed, and the draw has delivered some heavyweight encounters, with Chelsea set to face Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid drawn against Manchester City in two marquee clashes. The ceremony took place on Friday evening at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland, with former Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic involved in the proceedings.

Manchester City will face Real Madrid again in UEFA Champions League Round of 16. (AFP Images)

As per the format, the top eight teams from the league stage were seeded based on their finishing positions. They were arranged into four pairs to ensure balance in the bracket and to prevent the highest-ranked sides from meeting at this stage. During the draw, each team from a seeded pair was assigned one of two available Round of 16 slots, shaping the knockout pathway.

One of the standout ties saw Manchester City paired with Real Madrid yet again, continuing a rivalry that has defined recent European campaigns. The two sides have crossed paths frequently in the past few seasons, and they also met earlier in the league phase, where Pep Guardiola’s side secured a narrow 2-1 victory.

In another eye-catching fixture, PSG will look to settle scores with Chelsea after their FIFA Club World Cup final meeting. Meanwhile, Barcelona, regarded as one of the strong contenders this season, have been drawn against Newcastle United, a side they defeated away from home during the league stage.

Bayern Munich, who ended the league stage in second place, have been drawn against Atalanta in the Round of 16. The Italian side booked their spot with an impressive playoff display, eliminating Borussia Dortmund in style. Meanwhile, the team that topped the league phase will square off against German outfit Bayer Leverkusen in what promises to be another tightly contested knockout tie.

Round of 16 First leg

March 10-11

Paris Saint-Germain vs. Chelsea

Galatasaray vs. Liverpool

Real Madrid vs. Manchester City

Atalanta vs. Bayern Munich

Newcastle vs. Barcelona

Atletico Madrid vs. Tottenham

Bodø/Glimt vs. Sporting Lisbon

Bayer Leverkusen vs. Arsenal

Round of 16 Second leg

March 17-18

Chelsea vs. Paris Saint-Germain

Liverpool vs. Galatasaray

Manchester City vs. Real Madrid

Bayern Munich vs. Atalanta

Barcelona vs. Newcastle

Tottenham vs. Atletico Madrid

Sporting Lisbon vs. Bodø/Glimt

Arsenal vs. Bayer Leverkusen

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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