The Champions League draw for the Round of 16 of the 2022/23 tournament has been confirmed, with a repeat of the 2022 final between Liverpool and Real Madrid the draw.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have lost to Los Blancos three times, in total, twice in the final. Vinicius Jr inflicted the most recent pain on Liverpool, scoring the only goal in the final in Paris last May to hand Madrid their 14th Champions League crown.
Bayern Munich v PSG also promises to be one hell of a game, as two of the most dominant clubs from their respective countries go head-to-head. The question will be whether PSG can finally end their knockout hoodoo at the hands of one of the most consistent teams in Europe.
There are also two fixtures with German opposition for the English sides, with Chelsea drawing Borussia Dortmund while Manchester City are set to take on RB Leipzig. Curiously, the last 16 game between Chelsea and Dortmund is set to be the first competitive encounter between the two clubs in their history, with Christian Pulisic returning to the club from which Chelsea signed him.
Remaining English side Tottenham will see Antonio Conte return to the San Siro for the first time since leaving Inter, as Spurs take on AC Milan. The teams last met at this stage of the competition in the 2010/11 tournament, with a single goal from Peter Crouch proving the difference between the two legs.
Elsewhere, Club Brugge face a tough test against Benfica, with the Portuguese side finishing above PSG and Juventus in Group H, and currently unbeaten in the Primera Liga this season. Benfica’s rivals Porto will face Inter Milan in the first knockout round of this season’s competition.
Along with England, Germany are the only other nation to have four clubs reach the last 16 of the Champions League this season. Indeed, Eintracht Frankfurt went through a dramatic final day to set up a clash with Serie A leaders Napoli. The Italians are currently flying in the league, having also topped their respective group, which included Liverpool, Ajax and Rangers.
Full Champions League Round of 16 draw
The full draw:
RB Leipzig v Manchester City
Club Brugge v Benfica
Liverpool v Real Madrid
AC Milan v Tottenham Hotspur
Eintracht Frankfurt v Napoli
Borussia Dortmund v Chelsea
Inter Milan v Porto
Paris Saint Germain v Bayern Munich
