Champions League - Solvable opponents for Bayern and BVB - Leipzig against Real
FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund have been given easy tasks for the round of 16 of the Champions League, while RB Leipzig will face record winners Real Madrid.
Munich will kick off the knockout phase in February and March against Lazio Roma, who are currently in poor form. BVB will face PSV Eindhoven, who lead the Dutch league under former Dortmund coach Peter Bosz. This was the result of the draw at the headquarters of the European Football Union in Nyon.
The first legs of the first knockout round will be played between February 13 and 21. Leipzig will play at home, while Bayern and BVB will first play away. The second legs will be played between March 5 and 13. The goal of all remaining teams is the final, which will take place on June 1 at Wembley Stadium in London.
Munich had once again made it to the round of 16 with an almost flawless preliminary round. Five wins and a draw meant they won the group with aplomb. Bayern are the clear favorites against Lazio, who are currently eleventh in the Serie A table.
Dortmund also won their difficult preliminary round group and should have a good chance of progressing against Eindhoven. Leipzig finished second behind Manchester City in the knockout phase and will start as outsiders against the Real star ensemble. 1. FC Union Berlin, the fourth Bundesliga team to make their debut in the top flight, finished bottom of their group in the European Cup.
Champions League for the last time in this format
In the other round of 16 matches, defending champions Manchester City will face surprise team FC Copenhagen, while FC Barcelona will play Italian champions SSC Napoli. Paris Saint-Germain have a supposedly easy opponent in Real Sociedad San Sebastian. FC Arsenal have to play FC Porto, while Inter Milan face Atlético Madrid.
This is the last season for the Champions League in this format. From next season onwards, the European premium competition will become a kind of league with 36 clubs in the preliminary round, all of which will be in the same table. There will then be two more group games for each participant. There will also be an additional knockout round for some of the participants: the play-offs for the round of 16.
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- Despite the easy draws for Bayern and BVB, the tension is high as RB Leipzig prepares to face Real Madrid in the Champions League.
- In North Rhine-Westphalia, Borussia Dortmund is preparing to take on PSV Eindhoven, led by former Dortmund coach Peter Bosz.
- FC Bayern Munich, with their solid performance in the preliminary round, is considered a favorite against Lazio Rome, currently struggling in Serie A.
- The tie between BVB and PSV Eindhoven is seen as a chance for Dortmund to show their prowess in Soccer, especially after a strong preliminary round performance.
- For RB Leipzig, the match against Real Madrid will be a significant test, given Leipzig's second-place finish behind Manchester City earlier in the competition.
- Meanwhile, Manchester City faces FC Copenhagen, while FC Barcelona meets Italian champions SSC Napoli in other Champions League round of 16 matches.
- The Champions League, in its current format, is entering its final stage, with changes anticipated for the 2024 season to include a league-style setup and additional knockout rounds.
- In the 2024 Champions League, teams will compete in a more extensive preliminary round, before potentially facing off in play-offs for the round of 16.
- The 2022 Champions League Knockout stage is set to kick off with the first legs between February 13 and 21, with Leipzig playing at home, followed by Bayern and BVB's away matches.
- The defending champions, Manchester City, are set to face FC Copenhagen, while Inter Milan will confront Atlético Madrid in a tense battle as the thrilling round of 16 contests unfolds.
Source: www.stern.de
