As we approach the end of the year, top clubs across Europe are awaiting the draw for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
Real Madrid are among the clubs to have claimed the top position in the recently-concluded group stages and are hoping for a favourable outcome in the draws.
Real Madrid’s potential opponents in R16
Having finished top, Real Madrid have been saved from facing some of the top teams in the competition, including Bayer Munich and Manchester City.
However, thanks to PSG‘s gross underperformance in the group stages – they have finished second behind Borussia Dortmund in the ‘Group of Death’ – the Parisians stand as potential opponents for Real Madrid in the Round of 16.
Another potential opponent is Inter Milan. The Italian giants have finished second behind Real Sociedad in Group D and could face Real Madrid in the next round.
The third toughest opponent for Los Blancos could be RB Leipzig. The German giants finished behind Man City in Group G – a result that won’t surprise many.
Moving on to more favourable opponents for Real Madrid, Lazio and PSV Eindhoven stand in chance to face the Spanish giants in the Round of 16.
Lazio finished second in Group E, behind Atletico Madrid whereas PSV were able to finish ahead of Lens and Sevilla in Group B.
Finally, the most favourable outcome for Real Madrid could be FC Copenhagen. The Danish outfit remarkably finished second in Group A, ahead of Galatasaray and Manchester United.
Copenhagen themselves, though, won’t probably welcome the idea of facing Real Madrid in the next round, even though it is very much a possibility.
As per reports, the draw for the Round of 16 will be made on Monday, at the House of European Football in Nyom, Switzerland.
Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
