DPA
Berlin
Champions Real Madrid and Liverpool will repeat their matchup in the 2021-22 Champions League final, but this time with a clash in the last 16 of the competition.
Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 in last season’s final to clinch their 14th trophy in the competition in a game marred by organizational chaos which led to kick-off being delayed.
The draw on Monday determined that Bayern Munich will face Paris Saint-Germain, both clubs who also already met in a Champions League final, with Bayern enjoying the triumph in their 2019-20 matchup.
“PSG are a tough opponent. They won’t be looking forward to facing us. We have a while to go before the game, with the World Cup in between still, but can already look forward to it,” Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann said.
Bayern topped their Group C and were the only team to win all group stage games.
Chelsea, winners in 2021, will have Borussia Dortmund on their way, while Manchester City will face another German side, RB Leipzig.
“We have a top team waiting for us. In (Pierre-Emerick) Aubameyang and (Christian) Pulisic we’re meeting old friends,” Dortmund coach Edin Terzic said referring to the both players who already played for the club.
“We’re looking forward to seeing you again and of course, we want to make it through to the next round.” City and Leipzig have met in the Champions League group stages last term, with the English team beating the Germans 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium before being edged out 2-1 in Germany.
“Leipzig are not new ones in this competition - they are doing an unbelievable job,” City director of football Txiki Begiristain pointed out.
Other last 16 meetings include Club Brugge v Benfica, AC Milan v Tottenham, Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt v Napoli and Inter Milan v Porto.
Ties take place over two legs, with group winners playing at home in the second legs.
The first legs are scheduled for February 14-15 and 21-22, while the second legs will be played on March 7-8 and 14-15.
As the away goal advantage was removed from all UEFA club competitions in the 2021-22, ties level after both games will go to extra time and, if necessary, to a penalty shoot-out.
