The dates for the Champions League last-16 stage have been confirmed by UEFA, with holders Manchester City and 14-time winners Real Madrid playing on the first night. City will travel to Copenhagen for the first leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, while Real Madrid are in Germany to take on RB Leipzig. Paris Saint Germain and Real Madrid face off in France on Wednesday, February 14, while Lazio host Bayern Munich.
Following week, on Tuesday, February 20, Inter Milan will host Atletico Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund take on PSV in Eindhoven. The final first-leg ties are on Wednesday, February 21, as Arsenal travel to Porto and Napoli host Barcelona.
It’s evident that Manchester City and Arsenal will be confident of progress, but Barcelona and PSG face challenging assignments in the first knockout round. Despite Arsenal’s defeat in the 2006 final and their improved squad over the summer, including wins against Manchester City in the league and the Community Shield, their return to the competition is promising. The Premier League leaders have a few areas to improve, but they are considered serious challengers in the upcoming matches due to their strong performance in the league.
The draw for the Champions League last 16 has brought some fascinating fixtures, with Napoli taking on Barcelona and Atletico Madrid facing Inter, making them arguably the pick of the bunch. Manchester City and Arsenal have been paired with Copenhagen and Porto, respectively, instilling hopes of English success. Bayern Munich is supremely confident of seeing off a struggling Lazio side, while others such as Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid are expected to progress with ease.
In conclusion, the Champions League last-16 stage promises exciting matchups and potential upsets. With strong teams like Manchester City and Real Madrid set for their initial clashes, and the underdogs eager to prove themselves, the upcoming games are sure to keep football fans on the edge of their seats.
