Man City learn potential Champions League round of 16 opponents as draw permutations explained
It has been revealed who Manchester City could face in the Champions League round of 16. Pep Guardiola's side failed to secure automatic qualification to the knockout stages of Europe's top flight competition after finishing 22nd in the league phase.
Having not placed in the top-eight, and outside positions 9th to 16th, Man City settled for an unseeded play-off place. The Premier League champions were drawn against Real Madrid, who finished 11th and earned a seeded play-off place.
Jude Bellingham netted a late winner for the Spanish giants in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium, denting Guardiola's hopes of progressing. So, with that being said, the Manchester Evening News has rounded up everything you need to know about the Champions League round of 16 draw and who Man City could face – if they defeat Real Madrid.
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Who has already qualified for the round of 16?
The clubs that finished in the top eight of the league phase secured automatic qualification to the round of 16: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen, Inter Milan, Lille and Liverpool.
They will be joined by the winners of the eight knockout playoff (KO-PO) round ties. So far, four times have qualified: Bayern Munich (KO-PO), Benfica (KO-PO), Club Brugge (KO-PO) and Feyenoord (KO-PO).
They will soon be joined by the four winners of the knockout playoff round ties on Wednesday night: Brest or Paris Saint-Germain, Man City or Real Madrid, Juventus or PSV Eindhoven and Sporting CP or Borussia Dortmund.
How does the round-of-16 draw work?
The round of 16 is largely determined by a club's final league phase position. Man City – and every other team taking part in the knockout playoff round – were drawn into their position in the bracket last month.
The round-of-16 draw sees the top eight teams go into one of two possible positions on either side of the tournament tree. The top eight are seeded and will be drawn in pairs: 1st place on one side and 2nd place on the other, 3rd place on one side and 4th place on the other – and vice versa.
The seeded pairs will be drawn into opposite places, and can't play each other until the final. Seeded teams will also be at home in the round-of-16 second leg.
So, subject to a draw, who could Man City play?
Man City will play either Atlético Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16. Bayern Munich will play the team that Pep Guardiola's side are not drawn against – and vice versa.
Liverpool or Barcelona will play one of: Brest or Paris Saint-Germain, or Benfica. Arsenal or Inter Milan will play one of: Juventus or PSV Eindhoven, or Feyenoord. Lille or Aston Villa will play one of: Sporting CP or Borussia Dortmund, or Club Brugge.
What are the round of 16 fixture dates?
The first legs will be played on March 4 and March 5, and the second legs will be played on March 11 and March 12. Each club plays once on a Tuesday and once on a Wednesday.
When is the quarter-final and semi-final draw?
There will be a draw, straight after the round of 16 on on February 21, to determine who plays at home first in the quarterfinals and semifinals. This isn't done on league phase seeding, unlike the round of the 16.
