Manchester City will discover their path to the Champions League final this morning.

Manchester City avoided the Champions League play-offs after a dramatic final matchday in the League Phase. The Blues beat Galatasaray comfortably but still needed other results to go their way. Thankfully, Benfica’s victory over Real Madrid ensured no further matches were added to their schedule.

Today will see the round of 16 draw made and Pep Guardiola’s side will discover their route to the Champions League final. With tough matches guaranteed between now and the final in May, no path will be easy.

However, MEN Sport has picked out the worst-case scenario for City as they look to be crowned European champions.

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Round of 16 – Real Madrid

Real Madrid are perhaps not the force they were under Carlo Ancelotti. Xabi Alonso’s tenure was unsuccessful but Alvaro Arbeloa has steadied the ship.

Travelling to Madrid again in the Champions League would be a daunting prospect. But City know what it takes to win there and would be confident of beating Real at home in the second leg. Alternatively, Bodo/Glimt could await the Blues and a return to the Arctic Circle would not be ideal.

Given their Champions League history, Real would prove to be a tougher draw.

Quarter-final – Bayern Munich

Should City progress, they would face either Atalanta, Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the last eight. In terms of difficulty, Arsenal and Bayern are much the same threat but considering the travel involved, the German leaders would perhaps be a tougher prospect.

Vincent Kompany has built a strong team in Bavaria with Harry Kane leading the line. City are unbeaten in their last three against Bayern which would give the Blues some confidence.

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Arsenal have shown Bayern are beatable this season but travelling to the Allianz Arena would be as tough as it gets in the quarter-finals.

Semi-final – PSG

If City reach the semi-finals, the draw opens up slightly with Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea all possible opponents. But PSG would prove to be a trickier test.

The Champions League holders underwhelmed in the League Phase and squeezed past AS Monaco in the play-offs to reach the knockouts. But, Luis Enrique’s side still have many of the quality players who were crowned champions last season.

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While it may be a nightmare for City, Gianluigi Donnarumma would cherish a shot at his old club. The Italian has been superb since joining the Blues and he would no doubt relish the chance to prove a point against the French giants.

Final – Barcelona

Facing his boyhood club in the Champions League final would be a surreal experience for Guardiola.

Hansi Flick has made Barcelona a threat on the European stage once again. Lamine Yamal is the obvious dangerman but Raphinha, Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski would all pose a threat.

City have only beaten Barcelona once and that was in Guardiola’s only match against them since moving to Manchester. If the Blues were handed this path to the final and were crowned champions, they would be worthy winners.

Manchester City automatically qualified for the round of 16 in the Champions League thanks to an eighth-place finish in the league phase, and will face either Bodo/Glimt or Real Madrid

Manchester City will face either Bodo/Glimt or Real Madrid in the round of 16 of the Champions League, and will learn their fate at 11am on Friday, February 27. City are one of five Premier League teams who automatically qualified for the next stage of the competition.

Arsenal topped the table in the league phase of Europe’s premier football tournament, while Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur finished third and fourth respectively. Chelsea snagged sixth, while City qualified in eighth.

While Newcastle United finished 12th in the league standings, they will also join their Premier League rivals in the round of 16 thanks to a 9-3 aggregate win over Qarabag over two legs. While each team is currently waiting for confirmation of who they will play next, the Manchester Evening News has simulated how the last 16 of the Champions League could look tomorrow morning…

In our simulated draw, City are set for another match-up with 14-time winners Real Madrid. The two teams have played each other in the knockout stages of the Champions League for the last four seasons, with Los Blancos winning thrice.

Last season’s competition also saw Madrid run out 6-3 winners over on aggregate. That’s not to say that Bodo/Glimt would be anything but a challenge if recent form is anything to go off, however.

Not only did the Norwegian outfit stamp their ticket in the last 16 via a 5-2 aggregate win over Inter Milan, but they also enjoyed a shock 3-1 win over City in this season’s league phase last month. Elsewhere, our draw sees Chelsea meet PSG in the next round of the competition, while Arsenal take on Atalanta.

Newcastle United with be tasked with a high-flying Barcelona if our simulation runs true, while Liverpool will take on Atletico Madrid. Spurs will also meet with Galatasaray if the forecast is correct.

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The MEN’s simulated round of 16 in full

PSG vs Chelsea

Galatasaray vs Tottenham

Real Madrid vs Manchester City

Atalanta vs Arsenal

Newcastle vs Barcelona

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool

Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting CP

Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich

Simulated quarter-finals

QF 1: PSG or Chelsea vs Galatasaray or Tottenham

QF 2: Real Madrid or Man City vs Atalanta or Arsenal

QF 3: Newcastle or Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid or Liverpool

QF 4: Bodo/Glimt or Sporting vs Bayer Leverkusen or Bayern Munich

Semi-finals

Winner of QF 1 vs winner of QF 2

Winner of QF 3 vs winner of QF 4

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Manchester City know the two clubs they could potentially face next in the Champions League

Manchester City are awaiting the Champions League draw to see who Pep Guardiola’s side will face in the next round. The club have two possible opponents in Real Madrid and Bodo/Glimt following the knockout play-offs.

City secured automatic qualification to the round of 16 after clinching the eighth spot in the league phase. The team’s 2-0 win over Galatasaray in their final match proved enough to get them over the line.

However, both Real Madrid and Bodo/Glimt represent potentially tough tests for City, though for differing reasons. The Spanish giants often thrive in the Champions League and City are more than familiar with the threats Los Blancos pose, having faced the club in five of the last six seasons.

Bodo/Glimt have proven to be the competition’s surprise package. The Norwegian side finished 23rd in the league phase but showcased their quality in a 3-1 win over City in January.

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Here, MEN Sport takes a closer look at the two sides as City prepare for the Champions League draw on Friday.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid need no introduction. As 15-time winners of Europe’s premier domestic competition, the La Liga side often find another level when performing on the biggest stage.

It has not been the most straightforward season for them so far. Real parted with manager Xabi Alonso last month and have since suffered setbacks under new boss Alvaro Arbeloa.

However, despite missing out on the top eight in the league phase, Los Blancos have progressed to the round of 16 after overcoming Benfica 3-1 on aggregate. While key players Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham were sidelined for the recent return leg, star forward Vinicius Junior scored his second goal of the tie to seal their victory.

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It has almost become an annual tradition for City to meet the Spanish club in the Champions League knockout phases. Guardiola’s side have been eliminated in three of their last five meetings, including in last season’s play-off round, and would be aiming to avoid a similar fate this term.

Bodo/Glimt

While not many would have predicted Bodo/Glimt to reach this stage of the competition, the minnows are certainly no longer under the radar. In the play-offs, the Norwegian side enjoyed a 5-2 aggregate win over Inter Milan, who City faced in the Champions League final just three seasons ago.

Former AC Milan winger Jens Petter Hauge scored in both games against Inter and has rediscovered his best form since returning to his boyhood club in 2024. Star striker Kasper Hogh also netted a memorable brace against City in Bodo/Glimt’s remarkable 3-1 win over City last month.

It was a result made even more impressive by the fact that the Norwegian outfit are currently competing during their pre-season. Being drawn against Bodo/Glimt would bring the possibility of a repeat performance but also offer City a chance to rewrite any wrongs from their meeting.

Verdict

Bodo/Glimt would be City’s ideal opponent between facing Real Madrid and the Norwegian side. Real Madrid pose a recognisable threat and have consistently shown they are closely matched to City.

While Bodo/Glimt’s subsequent victories over Atletico Madrid and Inter prove that the performance against City was not a one-off, Guardiola’s side should back themselves to correct their earlier mistakes.

Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package

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Sky shows at least 215 live Premier League games each season, an increase of up to 100, plus Formula 1, darts, golf and more.

Manchester City will discover their Champions League last-16 opponents on Friday when the draw takes place

Manchester City will face either Real Madrid or Bodo Glimt in the Champions League last 16 draw on Friday.

The play-off ties concluded on Wednesday evening with Madrid booking their place in the next round with a 2-1 win over Benfica (3-1 on aggregate). City had a straight path through to the last-16 as a result of securing a top eight spot in the League Phase and the Blues knew their four potential opponents ahead of the play-off fixtures.

Friday’s draw in Nyon, which is scheduled to start at 11am, will now confirm which of the two teams Pep Guardiola’s will be facing next month. City will also be allocated into a half of the draw which will enable the Blues to plot their path to a potential final in May.

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City already know they could face Bayern Munich or Arsenal in the quarter-finals but the draw on Friday will firm up the permutations.

City have already played Bodo/Glimt this season, slipping to a surprise 3-1 defeat in the League Phase in Norway. The Norwegians stunned last season’s beaten finalists Inter Milan in the play-off round, winning 3-1 at home and then knocking out the Italian champions with a 2-1 victory in the San Siro.

The last-16 ties take place next month with the first leg on March 10/11 and the second a week later. City, by virtue of finishing higher in the League Phase, will be at home in the second leg.

The quarter finals are on April 7/8 and 14/15 with the semi-finals following on April 28/29 and May 5/6. The final is in Budapest on Saturday, May 30.

City are one of six English sides still in the draw after Newcastle United came through the play-off round on Tuesday. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham are still in the hunt.

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Manchester City will discover their Champions League last-16 opponents on Friday with the path to the final becoming clear.

Manchester City are enjoying a well-deserved few days off this week as the Blues prepare for a Premier League trip to Leeds United on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola’s side beat Newcastle United last time out to keep pace with Arsenal, who thrashed neighbours Tottenham 4-1 on Sunday to maintain a five-point lead having played a game more. Both sides are chasing trophies on four fronts and the pair will learn their Champions League fate this week.

City’s victory over Galatasaray in their final League Phase match ensured a top eight finish and a straight passage into the last-16, avoiding this week’s play-off ties. Those fixtures conclude on Wednesday night and City will learn their path to the final when the draw is made on Friday. Here are all the details:

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When is the UEFA Champions League draw?

The draw is on Friday at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. Proceedings will get underway at 11am UK time.

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How does the UEFA Champions League draw work?

City already know their four potential opponents with the Blues facing a play-off winner. That will be either Bodo/Glimt, Inter Milan, Real Madrid or Benfica.

Bodo beat City 3-1 in Norway in the League Phase and produced a stunning performance to match that result against Inter in the first leg, meaning the Norwegians hold the advantage ahead of Tuesday’s San Siro return.

Madrid, who knocked City out last season, are 1-0 up on Jose Mourinho’s Benfica after the first leg in Lisbon with the second leg on Wednesday night. Friday’s draw will determine which of those teams City will face and the draw will also be made for the last eight and semi-finals.

Here’s how the draw looks as things stand.

• Monaco/PSG vs Chelsea/Barcelona
• Newcastle/Qarabag vs Chelsea/Barcelona
• Galatasaray/Juventus vs Liverpool/Tottenham
• Club Brugge/Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool/Tottenham
• Benfica/Real Madrid vs Sporting/Manchester City
• Bodo Glimt/Inter Milan vs Sporting/Manchester City
• Dortmund/Atalanta vs Arsenal/Bayern Munich
• Olympiacos/Leverkusen vs Arsenal/Bayern Munich

The last 16 is split into two brackets and Friday’s draw will set out City’s path to Budapest. The Blues could meet Arsenal in the quarter finals.

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The Carabao Cup Final will see Arsenal v Manchester City at London’s Wembley Stadium this March.

Champions League play-off round first-leg results

• Monaco 2-3 PSG
• Galatasaray 5-2 Juventus
• Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
• Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Atalanta
• Qarabag 1-6 Newcastle United
• Club Brugge 3-3 Atletico Madrid
• Bodo/Glimt 3-1 Inter Milan
• Olympiacos 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen

Champions League play-off round second-leg fixtures

Tonight (8pm unless stated)

• Newcastle United vs Qarabag
• Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge (5.45pm)
• Inter Milan vs Bodo/Glimt
• Bayer Leverkusen vs Olympiacos

Wednesday, February 25 (8pm unless stated)

• PSG vs Monaco
• Juventus vs Galatasaray
• Real Madrid vs Benfica
• Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund (5.45pm)

UEFA Champions League knockout round dates

Last 16: March 10-11 and March 17-18

Quarter-finals: April 7-8 and April 14-15

Semi-finals: April 28-29 and May 5-6

Final: May 30

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