Manchester City drew four-times European champions Barcelona while twice Champions League victors Manchester United were pitted against Greek side Olympiakos in the last 16 draw on Monday.
City qualified for the knockout stage for the first time last week when they finished second behind European champions Bayern Munich, a pecking order that could have been reversed but for manager Manuel Pellegrini’s apparent mathematical error in their 3-2 win over the German giants.
Former Real Madrid and Malaga manager Pellegrini, who departed Spain for Manchester earlier this year, will be familiar with Lionel Messi and co as City have arguably the toughest draw in the first knockout round given Barcelona have won the title three times since 2006.
David Moyes’ United, three times European champions, will be favourites however to progress against Olympiakos despite sitting 10 points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Draw:
Manchester City v Barcelona
Olympiakos v Manchester United
AC Milan v Atletico Madrid
Bayer Leverkusen v Paris St Germain
Galatasaray v Chelsea
Schalke 04 v Real Madrid
Zenit St Petersburg v Borussia Dortmund
Arsenal v Bayern Munich
The first legs will be played on February 18/19 and 25/26 with the second legs on March 11/12 and 18/19.
Image courtesy of Danny MX via Flickr, with thanks.
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