Champions League: PSG – Chelsea, Real – City… a draw that reeks of gunpowder

The stage is set. Sixteen survivors locked in. And the draw looks like a minefield.

After the playoffs, the Champions League moves into knockout mode. For PSG, the only French side left, the message is blunt: they’ll have to get through heavy hitters.

PSG – Chelsea: Revenge in sight

Paris Saint-Germain will take on Chelsea. A scorching rematch of the Club World Cup final, where PSG were thumped 3-0.

PSG could’ve drawn Chelsea or Barcelona. The draw made the call. It’s London.

On paper, Chelsea look stacked and ruthless in big matches. PSG, meanwhile, arrive as reigning champions. But nothing in this half of the draw is going to be easy.

If they get through, PSG could meet Liverpool as early as the quarters. And after that, potentially the winner of Real Madrid vs Manchester City.

Yeah, that stings.

Real – City: again and again

Real Madrid against Manchester City. A modern classic. A rivalry you can’t ignore these days.

The winner will face either Atalanta or Bayern Munich. So much for an easy route in this slice of the draw.

The top half packs almost obscene quality. PSG, Liverpool, Real, City, Bayern… an early Final Four.

Arsenal and Barcelona get off lightly

In the other half, Arsenal come out well with Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16. Solid on paper, but beatable.

Newcastle will face FC Barcelona, while Atletico Madrid take on Tottenham Hotspur.

There’s also the intriguing tie between Bodo/Glimt and Sporting CP, and Galatasaray against Liverpool.

A more open draw. More tactical. Less choked with heavyweights.

The Round of 16 fixtures

Real Madrid – Manchester City

Bodo/Glimt – Sporting CP

PSG – Chelsea

Newcastle – FC Barcelona

Galatasaray – Liverpool

Atletico Madrid – Tottenham

Atalanta – Bayern Munich

Bayer Leverkusen – Arsenal

🚨🏆 BREAKING: Champions League full draw and… road to Budapest. ✨ pic.twitter.com/ah9jxZIdmF

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 27, 2026

The first legs will be on March 10 and 11, with the return legs on March 17 and 18.

The road to the final is set. It’s winding. It’s brutal.

And for PSG, it’s a gauntlet.

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