S Poddar
Premier League leaders Liverpool are set for a high-profile showdown with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16, while Arsenal take on Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven, and Aston Villa will go head-to-head with Club Brugge.
Reigning champions Real Madrid, fresh off their elimination of Manchester City in the knockout play-offs, will face city rivals Atletico Madrid. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen are set for an all-German clash.
Liverpool and PSG last met in the 2018-19 campaign, a season that ended with the Reds lifting their sixth European title. The winner of this encounter will go on to play either Aston Villa or Club Brugge in the quarter-finals. Should Arsenal overcome PSV, they will be up against either 15-time record winners Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in the last eight.
The first legs of these crucial fixtures are scheduled for 4-5 March, with the return matches set for 11-12 March.
Champions League Last-16 Fixtures:
- Paris Saint-Germain vs. Liverpool
- Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid
- Feyenoord vs. Inter Milan
- Borussia Dortmund vs. Lille
- Club Brugge vs. Aston Villa
- PSV Eindhoven vs. Arsenal
- Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen
- Benfica vs. Barcelona
Liverpool and Aston Villa Could Be on a European Collision Course
Liverpool’s highly anticipated clash with PSG is shaping up to be one of the standout ties of the round. The French giants looked on the verge of an early exit before a late resurgence saw them secure 15th place in the league phase.
Despite suffering a defeat to Arsenal, PSG bounced back impressively with a crucial win over Manchester City. Their dominance continued as they dismantled Brest in an all-French knockout phase play-off, winning by an astonishing 10-0 aggregate.
Ousmane Dembele has been in sensational form for PSG, with six goals to his name in this season’s competition. Liverpool, on the other hand, will be wary of their poor away record against French clubs, having failed to win in their last five trips to France. Their last victory came against Marseille back in 2008.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, “At this stage of the competition, every team is of the highest quality, and PSG are no exception. They secured their place in the last 16 in impressive fashion, with big wins over Brest, Stuttgart, Manchester City, Girona, and Salzburg.”
If Liverpool get past Luis Enrique’s PSG, they could face Premier League counterparts Aston Villa, provided Unai Emery’s side overcomes Club Brugge. The Belgian champions finished 24th in the league phase but managed to edge out Atalanta in the knockout play-offs.
Club Brugge also hold a psychological edge, having already beaten Villa in the league phase—one of only two defeats suffered by the English club under Emery this season. Speaking about the draw, Emery expressed his excitement: “I’m really happy because we are going to enjoy this moment with our supporters.”
Arsenal to Face Familiar Foes PSV
Arsenal will lock horns with PSV Eindhoven, the reigning Dutch champions who managed to finish 14th in the league phase. PSV had previously secured a 3-2 victory over an understrength Liverpool side in January.
Historically, Arsenal have performed well against PSV in the group stages of the Champions League. Their most recent encounter ended in a commanding 4-0 win for the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium last season.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, “We know exactly what we are facing. We’ve played against them before, and they are a very good team. At this stage, every opponent is tough.”
Liverpool’s Draw Against PSG: A Challenge or an Opportunity?
Former Liverpool and Aston Villa defender Stephen Warnock shared his thoughts on the draw, suggesting Liverpool might have hoped for a different opponent. “I think Liverpool will be slightly disappointed to draw PSG; ideally, they would have liked Benfica. But if you want to win the Champions League, you have to beat some of the biggest teams.”
He also expressed confidence in Liverpool’s chances, noting PSG’s inconsistent form. “Liverpool will fancy themselves against PSG, who have been a bit unpredictable.”
For Aston Villa, the draw against Club Brugge could be an opportunity, given Emery’s strong European record. “Unai Emery has an impressive track record in European competitions. While he’s more known for his Europa League success, he also had an incredible Champions League run with Villarreal in 2021-22. He knows how to navigate these knockout stages.”
As the competition heats up, all eyes will be on these high-stakes encounters, with fans eagerly anticipating some thrilling European nights in March.
