A potential mouth-watering Champions League quarterfinal clash awaits as Liverpool, multiple-time winners of Europe’s elite competition, could face Aston Villa, the Birmingham-based team featuring Jamaican international Leon Bailey.
The pathway to the quarterfinals was set in stone after the Last 16 draw, highlighted by the Madrid Derby between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, while three English teams are all on the same side of the bracket, eliminating the possibility of an all-English final.
For Liverpool, who currently lead the Premier League, the challenge will come in the form of Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain. This will be the first meeting between the two sides since the 2018-19 season, where Liverpool eventually lifted the trophy for the sixth time.
The winners of that tie will face either Aston Villa or Club Brugge in the quarterfinals. Aston Villa, under the guidance of manager Unai Emery, played to a hotly contested 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Villa Park on Wednesday in the most recent meeting between the two teams.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s path is also set for an intriguing clash against PSV Eindhoven. If they can progress past the Dutch giants, they will meet the victor of the intense Madrid derby between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid.
On the other side of the bracket, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen will lock horns in an all-Germany affair, while Benfica will take on former winners Barcelona.
The two-legged last 16 ties will take place on March 4-5 and March 11-12, with the Champions League final scheduled for May 31 at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Last-16 draw in full
Paris St-Germain v Liverpool
Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid
Feyenoord v Inter Milan
Borussia Dortmund v Lille
Club Brugge v Aston Villa
PSV Eindhoven v Arsenal
Europa League and Conference League:
Over in the Europa League, former winners Manchester United will face Spanish side Real Sociedad while Tottenham Hotspur will take on Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar, as both Premier League teams look to secure a spot in the next round. The first legs will be played on March 6, with return fixtures on March 13, and the final taking place on May 21.
Chelsea, meanwhile, will make the trip to Denmark for a tough Europa Conference League clash against FC Copenhagen. After the first leg on March 6, the teams will meet again at Stamford Bridge on March 13.
