Champions League: Round of 16 Schedule Revealed, Clashes Ahead

The draw for the 2025-2026 Champions League Round of 16 delivered its verdict this Friday, February 27, 2026, offering enticing matchups for March 10-11 and 17-18. On the menu: reunions, budding rivalries, and duels with a taste for revenge. Real Madrid – Manchester City: The unsurprising classic Real Madrid and Manchester City meet for the umpteenth time. In the sixteen confrontations between 2012 and 2025, the Madrid team has six victories, City five, with five draws. The numbers lean slightly in favor of the Citizens: OptaAnalyst gives Real a 35.65% chance of qualifying. In the Madrid locker room, the mood is skeptical: Courtois and Rüdiger have played more matches against City in the Merengue jersey than when they were at Chelsea. Doku's return to training for City could tip the series. Real has the competition's DNA, but City has the freshness. Barcelona – Newcastle: The English trap In September 2025, Barcelona beat Newcastle 2-1 without Lamine Yamal or Balde. Since then, Newcastle has dropped in the Premier League (11th), but qualified for these Round of 16 matches via the playoffs. Journalist Jean Pierre Étienne warns: “Watch out for Barça.” The Magpies, driven by Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, are playing for their survival with the carefree attitude of an underdog. Barcelona, with Lamine Yamal, is dealing with a full infirmary: Frenkie de Jong will miss both matches. For the Blaugranas, this is a first confrontation with an English club in the final phase since the 2019 disaster against Liverpool. Barça starts as favorite, but Newcastle has the weapons to create a surprise. PSG – Chelsea: The promise kept Robert Sanchez, a Chelsea player, had declared: “Give me PSG, so we can eliminate them.” His wish has been granted. Paris was defeated by Chelsea in the Club World Cup final. Luis Enrique denies any thought of revenge. But in the locker room, the atmosphere raises questions: Jérôme Rothen speaks of a group that is “amorphous, tired, lacking energy.” Problem: Fabian Ruiz is out for the first leg, with a knee injury. Dembélé will be there. Chelsea approaches this encounter with the confidence of a club seasoned in European battles. The first leg at Parc des Princes will be crucial. Galatasaray – Liverpool: The clash of extremes Liverpool, sixth in the Premier League, starts as favorite. But Galatasaray has proven its ability to bring down giants at home. The atmosphere of Rams Park Stadium can destabilize any team. If Liverpool brings back a positive result from Turkey, the return to Anfield could be a formality. Otherwise, the Istanbul fervor can create an upset. Bayern Munich – Atalanta: Power against madness Bayern starts as favorite, but Raffaelle Palladino's Atalanta is unpredictable. The Italians will put everything on the line in the first leg at home. If the Bavarians manage to contain the Bergamasque fury, the return to Munich will favor them. Beware of a transalpine team confident after a big victory, a stunning comeback against Borussia Dortmund. Atlético Madrid – Tottenham: The infirmary against experience Tottenham is decimated by injuries: Maddison, Kulusevski, Bentancur, Udogie, Porro… nine absentees! A true calamity. Atlético, at full strength and seasoned in European battles, is heading towards the Round of 16 barring a miracle. Bayer Leverkusen – Arsenal: Youth against maturity Mikel Arteta is confident. Arsenal starts as favorite. But Leverkusen, young and talented, has proven its ability to compete with top teams. The first leg in Germany will be decisive. If the Gunners manage the pressure, the return to London will be controlled. Bodo/Glimt – Sporting CP: The sensation against experience Bodo/Glimt is the sensation of this Champions League. The Norwegian club will put everything on the line at home on their synthetic, tricky pitch. Sporting, driven by a talented generation, will have to weather the storm before the return to Portugal. Possible Round of 16 Matchups

• Winner of Real-City → Atlético or Tottenham
• Winner of Barça-Newcastle → Atlético or Tottenham
• Winner of PSG-Chelsea → Galatasaray or Liverpool
• Winner of Bayern-Atalanta → Bodo/Glimt or Sporting
• Winner of Leverkusen-Arsenal → Bodo/Glimt or Sporting

See you in March for the verdict of these Champions League Round of 16 matches, which are already shaping up to be fiery. Jean Wesley Pierre / Le Relief