The Champions League knockout stage will this morning begin to be mapped out as Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa and the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona all learn their opponents for the last-16 stage. The new format of the competition means all teams already have two possible opponents, which will today get whittled down to one.
Arsenal will be drawn against Feyenoord or PSV Eindhoven, Liverpool and Barca will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Benfica and Aston Villa will get Club Brugge or Borussia Dortmund. It means only eight balls will be drawn as the eight last-16 ties are confirmed, teams are placed on one of two sides of the draw and a route to the final forms.
A number of big-name teams have already bit the dust, with Manchester City most notably being knocked out by Madrid, while Italian trio AC Milan, Juventus and Atalanta were all put to the sword during the play-off round. Madrid and PSG will be looking to get back on track after struggling during the League Phase before winning their play-off ties.
Teams who faced each other in the League Phase and teams from the same nation can play each other in the last-16 stage - which is a change from the original formate. Seeded teams, who finished in the top eight of the League Phase, will play the second leg of their last-16 ties at home. Those ties will take place across the first half of March.
Champions League last-16 draw
Start time: 11am, Nyon
How to watch for FREE
Who can Arsenal face?
Who can Liverpool face?
Simulated draw
How to watch Champions League last-16 draw
09:06 , Alex Young
TV channel and live stream: The draw will be shown live on UEFA’s official website and YouTube channel for free, while there is live television coverage on TNT Sports 1 from 11am.
TNT Sports subscribers can also watch online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Welcome
08:59 , Alex Young
Good morning and welcome to the London Standard’s LIVE coverage of the Champions League last-16 draw.
All the teams who have reached this far have navigated the new, and extended, League Phase from September to January, with half of them playing a further two play-off games to make the final 16.
Of the English quartet, Manchester City are the only team to fall at the first hurdle having been drawn alongside Real Madrid in a testing play-off tie.
Those who remain will not only learn their last-16 opponents but also have a route to the final mapped out.
All the action kicks off from 11am UK time. Stick with us.
