IMAGE: The 2026 UEFA Champions League closing is scheduled for Could 30 within the Hungarian capital of Budapest. {Photograph}: Pierre Albouy/Reuters
Key Factors
- Manchester Metropolis and Actual Madrid renew rivalry in Champions League.
- PSG to face Chelsea in repeat of Membership World Cup closing.
- Arsenal keep away from heavyweights, face Bayer Leverkusen in final 16.
Manchester Metropolis and Actual Madrid will renew their acquainted rivalry after being drawn collectively within the Champions League knockout section for the sixth time since 2019-20 following Friday’s draw for the final 16, quarterfinals and semifinals.
The 2 heavyweights have already crossed swords as soon as this marketing campaign, with Metropolis mounting a comeback to beat document 15-times European champions Actual 2-1 in December’s group stage match.
“We performed in opposition to one another already within the group section, so it will be a very nice recreation to observe. It is like a closing, we’re pleased to go there once more,” Metropolis’s director of soccer Hugo Viana informed UEFA.
Holders Paris St Germain will face Chelsea in a repeat of final yr’s ill-tempered Membership World Cup closing by which the Premier League facet got here out on prime.
“We have performed them fairly a number of instances. They’re the reigning champions however individuals will in all probability confer with what occurred in the summertime on the Membership World Cup. It will be robust however it holds no concern for us,” Chelsea’s director of soccer David Barnard stated.
Arsenal keep away from heavyweights
Arsenal play Bayer Leverkusen and the Premier League leaders have prevented the event’s heavyweights after their excellent document of eight wins put them prime of the standings within the league section.
Ought to they qualify for the quarterfinals, Arsenal will play both Sporting or Bodo/Glimt whereas Actual Madrid, Manchester Metropolis, PSG, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Chelsea are on the opposite facet of the draw.
Bayern Munich, who have been second within the group stage, play Atalanta, who knocked out German facet Borussia Dortmund within the playoffs due to a stoppage-time penalty.
Newcastle United face Barcelona once more after the Spanish facet gained their group stage opener and Liverpool have been paired with Galatasaray.
Premier League strugglers Tottenham Hotspur face Atletico Madrid whereas Norwegian upstarts Bodo/Glimt — who’ve crushed Metropolis, Atletico and Inter Milan this season — tackle Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon.
