Europe’s final 16 has been decided with remaining UEFA Champions League hopefuls now awaiting their fate in the all-important first knockout stage draw.
Here’s everything you need to know before it’s held on Monday night, Australian time, including a closer look at the teams still standing.
HOW DOES THE DRAW WORK?
The draw is seeded with group winners taking on group runners-up.
Teams cannot play an opposition they faced in the group stage, or a side from the same nation.
Rather than a traditional ‘bracket’ system in which a path to the final is mapped out, another draw will be held for the quarter-finals.
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WHEN IS IT ON & HOW CAN I FOLLOW IT?
The draw is made at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland and is schedule to start at 10pm AEDT Monday night.
UEFA’s official website will be streaming the draw live and you can follow all the you can also follow all the action on foxsports.com.au.
WHEN ARE THE RD OF 16 GAMES?
The first legs will be played on the 13th,14th, 20th and 21st of February, 2019.
The second legs will be played on the 6th, 7th, 13th and 14th of March, 2019.
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A LOOK AT THE TEAMS
GROUP WINNERS
Barcelona – Led by Lionel Messi, the Spanish giants went unbeaten through a tough group. As always, they are among the favourites as they chase sixth title, and first since 2015.
Bayern Munich – The Germans are having an uncharacteristically average season domestically but those struggles haven’t carried over to the Champions League. Went undefeated through the group stage and still have the firepower to beat any opponents over two legs.
Borussia Dortmund – They hold a seven-point lead in Germany’s Bundesliga and toped their group on goal difference from Atletico Madrid. Looking for a first Champions League title since 1997, having lost in the final in 2013.
Juventus – The Italian champions finished ahead of Manchester United in Group H despite losing their last two group matches. Two-time European Cup winners, Juventus have lost their past five finals, including in 2015 and 2017.
Manchester City – Having conquered the Premier League last season, coach Pep Guardiola’s main target is now to deliver a first European triumph to the blue half of Manchester. Many view this City team as the best in the world but they have only made it past the quarter-finals once.
Paris Saint-Germain – The big-spenders are looking for an elusive Champions League triumph to firmly establish themselves among the European elite, having dominated domestic competitions in France in recent years. Led by Brazil’s Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, this could be their best chance yet.
Porto – The two-time European Cup winners aren’t considered among the favourites but finished with 16 points in the group stage, albeit against fairly light opposition. Won the title in 2004 under Jose Mourinho.
Real Madrid – The three-time defending champions have been inconsistent this season but still clinched the group with a game to spare. Even without Cristiano Ronaldo, the record 13-time European Cup winners can never be counted out on the biggest stage.
GROUP RUNNERS-UP
Ajax – The Dutch are back in the Champions League after a four-year absence. Four-time European champions, including three straight titles in the 1970s, they probably don’t have enough to compete with the real heavyweights.
Atletico Madrid – Back in the knockout stage after finishing third in their group last year and going on to win the Europa League. Diego Simeone’s team is always dangerous in knockout competitions thanks to its stingy defence and reached the final in 2014 and 2016 – both times losing to rival Real Madrid.
Liverpool – Having reached the final last year, Jurgen Klopp’s side needed a tense 1-0 win over Napoli in the last round just to advance. Have struggled away from Anfield in Europe and will need to make full use of home games in order to make a deep run.
Lyon – Advanced thanks to a 1-1 draw at Shakhtar Donetsk in the last round after a strange group campaign. After beating Manchester City away in the first game were held to five straight draws.
Manchester United – The Champions League may be the only hope for Mourinho’s team to salvage what has been a disappointing season, with United languishing in sixth place in the Premier League. Advanced thanks to a surprising win at Juventus that showed they can still beat top teams but are nowhere near where they used to be.
Roma – Clinched second place in their group with a game to spare but have been ravaged by injuries lately and are without a win in five games in all competitions. Will need players to get healthy for the new year to have any chance.
Schalke – Finished second in arguably the easiest group and will be an underdog in the next round regardless of which team they face. Were knocked out in the round of 16 on their past three attempts and it would be surprising to see that streak end.
Tottenham – The London club scraped through by the thinnest of margins thanks to a late equaliser at Barcelona in their final group game. Were knocked out by Juventus in the round of 16 last season and will be hoping for an easier draw this time.
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