Real Madrid's Potential Round of 16 Opponents Revealed Ahead of Champions League Draw
Real Madrid are through to the Champions League last 16 after beating Benfica, but who could they face next? Man City or Sporting CP await.
Real Madrid are back in the Champions League round of 16 — no surprise there — but the road to get here was a bit more hairy than Los Blancos would’ve liked.
A Bumpy Route Through the Playoffs
Arbeloa’s side didn’t exactly cruise through the league phase. They made life difficult for themselves by losing to Benfica in the final matchday, which meant they had to go through the playoff round rather than qualifying automatically for the last 16. They got the job done in the end, seeing off that same Benfica side to book their spot — but it wasn’t the smoothest of rides, let’s be honest.
Who Could They Face?
The draw takes place this Friday, and it’ll set the full bracket from the round of 16 all the way through to the final. Real Madrid, not being one of the seeded sides at this stage, will play the first leg at the Bernabéu and the second leg away.
There are two possible opponents in the frame:
- Manchester City (Pep Guardiola) — a 50/50 shot, and a tie that’s basically become a Champions League institution at this point. City and Madrid have been at each other’s throats in this competition so many times over the past few years that it almost feels inevitable. This would be the tougher draw, no question.
- Sporting CP — the other option, and on paper the more manageable of the two. The Portuguese side have had a decent campaign, but compared to City, most would consider this the kinder pull for Madrid.
What It Means
It’s a proper coin flip — literally 50/50 between one of the most fearsome sides in European football and a Sporting CP outfit that, while decent, are a different kettle of fish entirely.
If Madrid get City, you’re looking at a blockbuster — two clubs who know each other’s game inside out by now. If it’s Sporting, Madrid will be heavy favourites, though away days in Lisbon are never quite the formality they look on paper.
Either way, the Bernabéu hosts the first leg, which is no bad thing. Madrid tend to turn that place into a fortress when the big nights roll around.
All eyes on Friday’s draw, then. Fingers crossed for the one that makes the neutral’s pulse race — you already know which one that is.