December 18, (THEWILL) – The draw for the last 16 of the 2023/2024 UEFA Champions League has thrown up some tantalising matches, with current holders, Manchester City and 13-time winners, Real Madrid, both facing tricky tests if they are to remain in the competition.
English Premier League leaders, Arsenal, have been paired with Portuguese champions, Porto, the two clubs last met at this stage in 2009/2010 when the Gunners recovered from a first-leg deficit to progress. Serie A champions, Napoli, will take on Spanish giants, Barcelona, while City must overcome FC Copenhagen to stay on course to retain their crown.
Real Madrid, looking to be crowned kings of Europe yet again, must get past the challenge posed by RB Leipzig of Germany, if they are to book a place in the quarter-finals. Elsewhere, French champions Paris Saint-Germain will play Real Sociedad, Inter Milan will meet Atletico Madrid, Bundesliga winners Bayern Munich will face Lazio and Dutch league leaders PSV Eindhoven will battle with Borussia Dortmund.
The first leg ties will take place in February 2023, with the returns scheduled for March. There is plenty for football fans to look forward to as the remaining teams aim to reach the final, which will be held at Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium on June 10 next year.
All eyes are sure to be on current champions City, however, as Pep Guardiola’s men attempt to become the first club to successfully defend the prestigious trophy since Zinedine Zidane’s three-peat with Real Madrid. Standing in their way in the next round are FC Copenhagen, but City will be wary of taking the Danish outfit lightly.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
