As the UEFA Champions League group stage came to a close on Wednesday, the qualified teams are ready to learn their fate and shift gears accordingly. The Champions League draw for the Round of 16 takes place once all the European fixtures from all the three UEFA tournaments have concluded the group stage.
It undoubtedly would be very intriguing to see who faces who, as only 16 teams remain in the race for the biggest prize, not only the trophy and recognition, but also the monetary reward, in European football. Manchester City are the current UEFA Champions League winners, and the Citizens seem confident to defend the title.
UEFA Champions League round of 16 date, time
The UEFA Champions League draw for the knockout rounds takes place on Monday, that is 18th December, in the house of European football, Nyon, Switzerland. The draw starts at 12:00 CET.
The round of 16 is scheduled to start on 13th and 14th February 2024, and the remaining fixtures on 20th and 21st February. The return legs are scheduled to take place on 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th of March.
Considering the hectic schedule with regard to domestic and league football at around that time, and with the business end of the season in full flow, teams from Pot 1 would like to get favorable draws from Pot 2, and the Pot 2 sides will definitely hope to avoid the big sharks from Pot 1.
UEFA Champions League teams, pots
This year’s UEFA Champions League has been rather different, considering this one is the first one in 20 years to not feature Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. But the focus has shifted now, to Haaland, Mbappe and the Bellingham.
Real Madrid sit at the top of the winners list with 14 UCL titles, and are looking forward to making it 15, with Bayern Munich being the next one behind, as they can match AC Milan’s record with 7 UCL titles. Manchester City look to defend the title, right after winning it for the first time in the previous edition.
Big teams like Arsenal and Paris Saint Germain are also in the mix, as they look to taste UCL glory for the first time in their history.
The round of 16 comprises four Spanish teams, with Real Sociedad joining the traditional big three. From England, Newcastle and Manchester United have been eliminated, with only the big sharks remaining. Three teams from Germany and Italy each joined the lot.
Teams in Pot 1: Bayern, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, Manchester City, Barcelona, Dortmund and Atlético.
Teams in Pot 2: Copenhagen, PSV, Napoli, Inter, RB Leipzig, Porto, PSG and Lazio.
The conditions in the draw remain the same as ever, with Pot 1 teams eligible only to face a team from Pot 2, that too from a different country.
What fixture could be a cracking tie in the Round of 16? Predict your draws and let us know in the comments.
