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.
Barcelona would have won the title with a win and Dani Alves went close with a fierce drive, but Atletico held on. the Barcelona-Real Madrid duopoly in Spanish football. The draw meant
LIVE Transfer Talk: Real Madrid close in on €50m Mendy
Kaya v Lao Toyota - MATCH DETAILS: Location : Upcoming Information:AFC Cup 30.04.2019
Football: Guardiola tips City as comeback 'heroes'
Rodgers closing in on EPL return with Leicester, Football
Aaron Ramsey has agreed a five-year deal with Juventus worth £36m and will join the Italian champions on a free transfer at the end of the season. The midfielder has been discussing a move for weeks and will leave Arsenal after 10 years at the club.
Ramsey poised to sign five-year, €40m Juventus deal
Barcelona striker Luis Suarez will miss Uruguay's trip to China to take part in the China Cup 2019 which is scheduled to begin at the Guangxi Sports Centre in Nanning on March 21.
Injured Suarez to miss China Cup for Uruguay - ewn.co.za
MADRID: Real Madrid have signed Serbia striker Luka Jovic from Eintracht Frankfurt for 60 million euros ($67 million), television channel Sky Germany said on Thursday. Jovic, 21, scored 10 goals
Real Madrid sign Luka Jovic for 60 million euros - reports
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 got his hands on Europe's biggest prize.
Salah, Origi strike to give Liverpool Champions League triumph
Football News: Pep Guardiola claimed he still doesn't believe Manchester City can win the quadruple after his side reached the FA Cup final with a 1-0 win over Brigh
Pep Guardiola coy over quadruple bid after Manchester City
Higuain has scored only once since October. Chelsea have signed Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain on loan for the remainder of the season with an option to buy him for 36m euros (£31.3m).
Gonzalo Higuain joins Chelsea on loan from Juventus
Pep Guardiola challenges Manchester City to beat Liverpool to stay in Premier League title race Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says their next game against Liverpool will be like a final Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City must beat Liverpool on Thursday in order to maintain their Premier League title bid.
EPL: Guardiola reveals what Manchester City must do to beat
Football news - Atletico title bid suffers with defeat at Betis in Morata debut Alvaro Morata made his debut for Atletico after Canales' spot-kick was too powerful and inflicted a first
Football: Atletico title bid suffers with defeat at Betis in
Klopp calm for the run-in LONDON • The Premier League title race is the most competitive it has been for years, but Jurgen Klopp is not having a "heart attack" whenever he hears nearest challengers Manchester City have won.
John Barnes urges calm from Liverpool fans in title run-in
0 comments:
Post a Comment