NYON, SWITZERLAND (AFP) - Liverpool will take on fellow five-time winners Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the Champions League, while Jose Mourinho's struggling Manchester United face French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Holders Real Madrid were paired with Ajax in Monday's (Dec 17) draw in Nyon as the Spaniards attempt to lift the trophy for the fifth time in six seasons, while Lionel Messi and Barcelona will play Lyon.
Both Liverpool and Bayern have a rich tradition in the competition, each winning it five times and Liverpool were beaten finalists last season.
Liverpool are the current form side of the two and sit top of the Premier League while Bayern, under new coach Niko Kovac, have been far short of their own high standards in the Bundesliga this season.
"That's the team of the hour, the league leaders in England, they are playing really good football, very physical, really stepping it up. We are looking forward to it," Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said of the tie with Liverpool.
"A tough cookie, but that's something to look forward to as a player."
Liverpool boss Klopp added: "It will be a tough one, an interesting one, and I am looking forward to it." .
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City take on German side Schalke 04 while Atletico Madrid, beaten finalists in 2014 and 2016, come up against Cristiano Ronaldo and Italian heavyweights Juventus.
"A very difficult match, with few goals," Juve vice-president Pavel Nedved predicted.
"No doubt Cristiano is the man of the Champions League, he has always shown that, with goals and victories. Our team is very strong and we can be calm and confident."
Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund will meet Tottenham Hotspur for the second season in a row, having faced each other in last year's group stage, while Roma meet two-time former champions Porto.
"We've already met them (Tottenham) twice. A strong opponent, the chances are at 50-50. The team has top players. We are also strong, it will be interesting," Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke told Sky.
Meanwhile, United go into a first ever meeting with PSG trailing Premier League leaders Liverpool by 19 points following Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Anfield, and face a formidable task against a side featuring Neymar and Kylian Mbappe - the world's two most expensive players.
"It's always difficult to play Manchester United," said PSG boss Thomas Tuchel. "They have lots of experience in this competition, they've won it numerous times. It's always difficult to play at Old Trafford, it's always a big challenge.
"It's the same thing against Mourinho. He has lots of experience in this competition and you must have respect."
Manchester City's director of football Txiki Begiristain warned the English champions will not have it easy against a Schalke outfit languishing in 13th place in Germany following a nightmare start.
"Teams that have been struggling in their leagues have still they've done very well in the Champions League," said Begiristain. "Schalke will be difficult. After a winter break, German clubs are always very dangerous."
Lyon coach Bruno Genesio says his team can draw on their group stage displays against City - a 2-1 win and 2-2 draw - ahead of their clash with five-time European champions Barca.
"We'll need to pull off two big performances, in the first leg and in the return, but we can do it. We did it against City," said Genesio.
"It's tough. They are a team that Lyon has already played against but never beaten. Barca are more experienced and stronger but over two matches anything is possible," Gerard Houllier, who holds an advisory role at the French club, told RMC Sport.
"The first match is key and we are playing at home. Barca are potential champions. We have nothing to lose. Everything is a bonus for Lyon."
Teams that finished in second place in the group stage will host the first legs on Feb 12-13 and Feb 19-20 with the return matches scheduled for March 5-6 and March 12-13.
Chelsea winger Willian has been called up by Brazil manager Tite to replace Neymar ahead of this month's Copa America. Neymar limped off the field during a pre-tournament friendly against Qatar on
Willian to Replace Neymar in Brazil's Copa America Squad
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp celebrates with Jordan Henderson at the end of the match REUTERS. Liverpool crushed Arsenal 5-1 to move nine points clear at the top of the Premier League on Saturday but manager Juergen Klopp still would not get involved in any talk of winning the title.
Football News -. Read more at straitstimes.com. 'Emotional breakdown' as Japan stun imploding Iran at Asian Cup of Iran in action against Minamino Takumi of Japan during the 2019 AFC
AFC Asian Cup: 'Emotional breakdown' as Japan stuns imploding
Rosell, his wife and four others, were accused of "large-scale money laundering" of close to 20 million euros ($23 million) since 2006, relating Spain court acquits former FC Barcelona president
Spain court acquits former Barcelona president of money
Jan 09, 2019 · Aaron Ramsey has agreed a five-year deal with Juventus worth £36m and will join the Italian champions on a free transfer at the end of the season. The midfielder has been discussing a move for
Ramsey moving to Juve on five-year $62m deal - theworldnews.net
Klopp takes responsibility for Liverpool's 'long dry spell' Date published: Monday 2nd April 2018 2:00 Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp takes some responsibility for the club's 'long dry spell
Magnificent Mane and Milner mask Salah's dry spell as
Manchester City will return to China this year for the first time since their ill-fated visit of 2016, when a game with cross-town rivals United was called off at the last minute.
Pray for no rain: Man City to return to China after Beijing
Watford squeeze past QPR into FA Cup last eight. msn back to msn home sport. powered by Microsoft News. web search. Skip to Navigation; Football Motor Sport Golf
Watford squeeze past QPR into FA Cup last eight - Football
West Ham 0-2 Watford: Troy Deeney silences home fans from the penalty spot before Gerard Deulofeu secures three points late on for the Hornets So there was no fifth win in a row for Pellegrini
AC Milan risk being excluded from European competition next season after UEFA on Thursday ordered another probe be carried out into the Italian club for breaches of Financial Fair Play regulations. European football's governing body said in a statement that UEFA's Club Financial Control Body investigatory chamber had decided "to refer the
AC Milan face long European ban after UEFA opens second
Liverpool blew a chance take a vice-like grip on the title race and Chelsea suffered their worst league defeat in 23 years. | EPL PIX: Leaders Liverpool stumble, Chelsea collapse
Leaders Liverpool stumble, Chelsea collapse - Egypt Today
Mauricio Pochettino says finishing in the Premier League's top 3 for a third successive season is a massive achievement having played 38 away games including at Wembley, but the club need to be
Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham need bravery against Ajax
That enabled Wolves to pour forward, and in the 77th minute they got the winner thanks to a Smalling own goal after a scramble near the line. The result left Manchester United fifth in table on 61
Hungry Wolves beat 10-man Manchester United 2-1, again
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino was Monday charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following his side's defeat to Burnley. The Spurs boss became engaged in a lengthy and
Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham boss charged by Football
