Spanish league leaders Barcelona will play Premier League leaders Arsenal in the last 16 of the Champions League, 10 years after the sides faced each other in the final, following the draw for the first knockout stage.
Spanish league leaders Barcelona, chasing a sixth title, prevailed 2-1
in the 2006 final at the Stade de France in Paris and also triumphed in
the knockout phase in 2010 and 2011.
Chelsea, who are enduring a difficult time in the Premier League, will
face French league leaders Paris St Germain in the knockout stages for
the third year in succession after the French champions triumphed at the
same stage last season and the London club had the upper hand in the
quarterfinals the previous year.
Another clash between big guns will feature former winner Juventus and
Bayern Munich, while 10-time champions Real Madrid will face
AS Roma.
It is the game between the pacesetters in Spain and Arsenal which most catches the eye, however.
Arsenal club secretary David Miles said: "It is not easy and the one to
avoid at this stage, but it is up to us and we will give them a game.
Juventus could come to regret having blown their finale in the group
stage, leaving Manchester City, who will take on Dynamo Kiev, with the
better draw on paper.
"Everybody wanted to avoid Barca and Bayern so we are not so lucky but
Bayern will not be glad they drew Juve," said Juventus ambassador Pavel
Nedved.
Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain said: "They have
a good side (Kiev)and it will be difficult for us. They are growing in
the competition and it will be a big challenge but we hope to be ready.
"They are a strong side, but they like to play football and it is just
11 v 11. We are improving and gaining experience in the competition so
we hope to do well."
PSV Eindhoven will take on Atletico Madrid and Benfica will be against Zenit St Petersburg.
Gent, in their first participation in the competition, will take on Germany's VfL Wolfsburg.
The first legs of the ties are spread over four days in February, with
the returns on March 8, 9 and 15, when there are two matches.
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