A general view of the screens shows the draw for the 2015/2016 UEFA Champions League Cup soccer competition at Monaco's Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo (Photo : Reuters)
The UEFA Champions' League draw that took place at the headquarters of the European soccer's governing body, in Nyon, Switzerland on Monday produced some familiar pairings and some unexpected pairings.
The most notable pairing was of Arsenal vs. Barcelona. Arsenal, who had to fight for their chance at the last 16 of the tournament in Greece against Olympiacos. Barcelona, who are the reigning champions, beat the English club in 2006 final, eliminated them in the quarterfinals in 2010 and bundled Arsenal out in the round of 16 in 2011.
According to ESPN, the big boys have been paired together very early in the tournament. This means that at least three favorites will be bundled out at the round of 16. This is because it's not only Arsenal and Barcelona who got viewed as favorites have been paired together. Chelsea, who are the 2012 champions, have been paired with Paris Saint-Germain for the third consecutive season in the knockout phase where Paris Saint-Germain proceeded last season after beating Chelsea on the away goals rule to proceed to the quarter-finals.
The five-time UEFA Champions League winners and last years' semifinalists, will be facing the three times winners and last year finalists Juventus. These two teams are champions of their respective leagues. It will be a cracking fixture since the 'old lady' has experience and quality to handle the on fire Lewandowski and co.
Other fixtures according to UEFA are:
Gent (BEL) vs. Wolfsburg (GER)
Roma (ITA) vs. Real Madrid (ESP)
PSV (NED) vs Atletico (ESP)
Benfica (POR) vs. Zenit (RUS)
Dynamo Kyiv (UKR) vs. Man. City (ENG)
These matches will get played on 16th - 17th Feb. and 23rd - 24th Feb. and the return leg will be played between 8th -9th Mar. And 15th - 16th Mar.
