UCL draw: Serie A and LaLiga clash as Inter draw Atletico, and Barca meet Napoli in last 16

December 18 – Holders Manchester City were handed arguably the easiest tie in the last 16 of the Champions League after being paired with FC Copenhagen, while Spanish heavyweights Barcelona will face Napoli as today’s draw kept Europe’s giant clubs apart.

Copenhagen, who upset the odds by finishing ahead of Manchester United in the group stage of the competition, now return to Manchester after reaching the knockout stage for the first time since 2011 as the lowest ranked side left.

City may have been wobbling domestically but won all six of their group stage Champions League matches and are on an unbeaten run of 20 games in European football.

One of either the Serie A or LaLiga champions will be knocked out after being pitted against each other whilst another clash between Italian and Spanish sides sees last year’s finalists Inter Milan take on three-times runners-up Atletico Madrid.

Record 14-times winners Real Madrid will take on German side RB Leipzig, while English Premier League leaders Arsenal will be favourites to reach a first quarter-final since 2010 against Porto.

Paris St Germain, still trying to win Europe’s top club prize for the first time, were braced for a tough tie after coming second in their group so will be relieved at being paired with a Real Sociedad side appearing in the last 16 for the first time in two decades. PSG have gone out at this stage in five of the last seven campaigns,

Elsewhere, Harry Kane-led Bayern Munich face Italy’s Lazio, while Borussia Dortmund take on Dutch leaders PSV Eindhoven.

The first legs take place on 13-14 or 20-21 February and the second on 5-6 or 12-13 March.

The final takes place at Wembley on 1 June.

Last-16 draw

Porto v Arsenal

Napoli v Barcelona

Paris St-Germain v Real Sociedad

Inter Milan v Atletico Madrid

PSV Eindhoven v Borussia Dortmund

Lazio v Bayern Munich

Copenhagen v Manchester City

RB Leipzig v Real Madrid