NYON, SWITZERLAND (AFP) - Liverpool will take on fellow five-time winners Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the Champions League, while Jose Mourinho's struggling Manchester United face French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Holders Real Madrid were paired with Ajax in Monday's (Dec 17) draw in Nyon as the Spaniards attempt to lift the trophy for the fifth time in six seasons, while Lionel Messi and Barcelona will play Lyon.
Both Liverpool and Bayern have a rich tradition in the competition, each winning it five times and Liverpool were beaten finalists last season.
Liverpool are the current form side of the two and sit top of the Premier League while Bayern, under new coach Niko Kovac, have been far short of their own high standards in the Bundesliga this season.
"That's the team of the hour, the league leaders in England, they are playing really good football, very physical, really stepping it up. We are looking forward to it," Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said of the tie with Liverpool.
"A tough cookie, but that's something to look forward to as a player."
Liverpool boss Klopp added: "It will be a tough one, an interesting one, and I am looking forward to it." .
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City take on German side Schalke 04 while Atletico Madrid, beaten finalists in 2014 and 2016, come up against Cristiano Ronaldo and Italian heavyweights Juventus.
"A very difficult match, with few goals," Juve vice-president Pavel Nedved predicted.
"No doubt Cristiano is the man of the Champions League, he has always shown that, with goals and victories. Our team is very strong and we can be calm and confident."
Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund will meet Tottenham Hotspur for the second season in a row, having faced each other in last year's group stage, while Roma meet two-time former champions Porto.
"We've already met them (Tottenham) twice. A strong opponent, the chances are at 50-50. The team has top players. We are also strong, it will be interesting," Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke told Sky.
Meanwhile, United go into a first ever meeting with PSG trailing Premier League leaders Liverpool by 19 points following Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Anfield, and face a formidable task against a side featuring Neymar and Kylian Mbappe - the world's two most expensive players.
"It's always difficult to play Manchester United," said PSG boss Thomas Tuchel. "They have lots of experience in this competition, they've won it numerous times. It's always difficult to play at Old Trafford, it's always a big challenge.
"It's the same thing against Mourinho. He has lots of experience in this competition and you must have respect."
Manchester City's director of football Txiki Begiristain warned the English champions will not have it easy against a Schalke outfit languishing in 13th place in Germany following a nightmare start.
"Teams that have been struggling in their leagues have still they've done very well in the Champions League," said Begiristain. "Schalke will be difficult. After a winter break, German clubs are always very dangerous."
Lyon coach Bruno Genesio says his team can draw on their group stage displays against City - a 2-1 win and 2-2 draw - ahead of their clash with five-time European champions Barca.
"We'll need to pull off two big performances, in the first leg and in the return, but we can do it. We did it against City," said Genesio.
"It's tough. They are a team that Lyon has already played against but never beaten. Barca are more experienced and stronger but over two matches anything is possible," Gerard Houllier, who holds an advisory role at the French club, told RMC Sport.
"The first match is key and we are playing at home. Barca are potential champions. We have nothing to lose. Everything is a bonus for Lyon."
Teams that finished in second place in the group stage will host the first legs on Feb 12-13 and Feb 19-20 with the return matches scheduled for March 5-6 and March 12-13.
Teenage Italy midfielder Zaniolo oozes Roman pedigree
An early goal from Mohamed Salah and a late one from Divock Origi gave Liverpool a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday's all-English Champions League final as coach Juergen Klopp finally
Football: Salah, Origi strike to give Liverpool Champions
BARCELONA: Lionel Messi received his record fifth Golden Shoe award for leading all of Europe's football leagues in scoring last season. Messi's fifth win breaks the tie he had with Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi scored 34 goals in La Liga last season to lead Barcelona to the title. Liverpool forward
Messi claims record 5th Golden Shoe - sportskeeda.com
Defender Jan Vertonghen (L) celebrates with teammate Son Heung-Min (R) after scoring their second goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium in London on February 13, 2019.
Champions League: Son Shines As Tottenham Beat Dortmund 3-0
Football: Ihsan Fandi, the winner of the match, after Singapore for less than 22 years defeated Thais with 1-0 to capture the Merlin Cup, football news and best stories. singapore June 9, 2019 singapore
Singapore Football on Flipboard | Yoshida, Singapore, Solomon
Harry Kane starts for Tottenham alongside Harry Winks in the Champions League final, while Roberto Firmino starts for Liverpool. Kane starts after two months on the sidelines with ligament damage
Champions League final: Liverpool's Klopp & Tottenham's
Maurizio Sarri who is the manager of Premier League side Chelsea has reportedly told Belgian football star Eden Hazard that he is free to leave the club if he wants to. Eden Hazard has for the past three seasons being linked with a move to the Spanish giants with Real Madrid said to be ready to sign him in the summer.
Maurizio Sarri: If Eden Hazard wants to leave Chelsea, I
Real Madrid, Atletico close in on Barcelona Description: The hosts came roaring back in the second half, twice forcing fine saves from Jan Oblak before Fernando Calero scored for the hosts from a 56th-minute corner.
Real Madrid, Atletico close in on Barcelona
Tunisian club win African title after final abandoned over VAR (video assistant referee) system was not working, but the players seemingly did not know. forward Lucas Pratto during their
Tunisian club win African title after final abandoned over
Alternatively, he may opt to use Lichtsteiner as the right-sided centre-back - as was the case at Old Trafford - to plug the gap until the likes of Koscielny, Mavropanos and Nacho Monreal return
Arsenal news: Should the Gunners make a move for Kurt Zouma?
Guardiola sorry to have derailed Pellegrini's final days at City Pep Guardiola has apologised if the early announcement of his arrival at Manchester City in 2016
Football: Pep Guardiola sorry to have derailed Manuel
Apr 28, 2019 · Welcome back to the Premier League, Sheffield United. The Blades had their promotion to the top-flight guaranteed on Sunday as Leeds United drew with Aston Villa. Norwich City were promoted on
Norwich and Sheffield promoted to EPL - Latest News
0 comments:
Post a Comment