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Real to face PSG, Chelsea to face Barca in last 16

Published : 11 Dec 2017, 21:30

DF-Xinhua Report

Real Madrid's Luka Modric (2nd R) celebrates with teammates during the the UEFA Champions’ League Group H match against Apoel in Nicosia, Cyprus, Nov. 21, 2017. File Photo Xinhua.

12-time winners Real Madrid set up a UEFA Champions League last 16 spotlight matchup with Ligue 1 powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain, while Premier League defending champions Chelsea will meet Barcelona following the drawing ceremony here on Monday.

16 teams are slotted in two seeding pots, one consisting of group winners and the other of runners-up. No team will face a club from their group or from their own association.

After beating Juventus in last season's final, Real Madrid became the first club to have defended their title in Champions League era.

Ambitious PSG will undoubtedly be huge challenge for the La Liga giant to achieve three titles in a row. The French side recruited Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in the off-season, before displaying their attacking fire with an unparalleled total of 25 goals in six group matches.

The two clubs have played six times, each winning twice with the remaining two for draws.

"I think it's a good draw. I believe we can compete with Real Madrid. To make something great in the UEFA Champions League, you need to beat the best teams," commented PSG's head coach Unai Emery.

"The last 16 is a good moment to play such teams. We'll need to show our character, our tactical skills and our talent. Talent is very important," he added.

Chelsea have bettered in 12 previous encounters by four wins to three for Barcelona. The most recent duel came in the 2011/12 semi-finals, where Chelsea prevailed en route to the title.

A record of five Premier League clubs found their places in Champions League last 16. Tottenham Hotspur set up a clash with last season's finalist Juventus. Manchester City, unstoppable in the league, will take on Swiss club Basel. Liverpool's next opponent will be Porto of Portugal. Last season's Europa League titleholder Manchester United will meet Sevilla, who won the tournament three times before them.

Bayern Munich, the only remaining Bundesliga in round of 16, will face Turkish side Besiktas. Another Serie A outfit Roma are set to take on Shakhtar Donetsk.

The first legs of UEFA Champions League round of 16 will be held on February 13/14 and 20/21, 2018, with the return legs on March 6/7 and 13/14. The final will be played in Kyiv, Ukraine on May 26, 2018.