Manchester City have been handed a tricky Champions League decider just days before the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.
Man City booked their place at the Wembley showpiece on March 22 after overcoming Newcastle 5-1 on aggregate in the semi-final, while the Gunners were victorious against London rivals Chelsea.
The two finalists are both on course for an unprecedented quadruple as they’re locked in a battle for the Premier League title, into the fifth round of the FA Cup and the Champions League last 16.
Man City left it until the final matchday of the league phase to confirm a place in the last 16 as surprise defeats to Bayer Leverkusen and Bodo/Glimt left Pep Guardiola’s side needing to beat Galatasaray and results elsewhere going in their favour.
Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki made sure City lived up to their end of the bargain, helping them to leapfrog Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle in the table to seal a top eight finish.
Who will Man City face in Champions League last 16?
Man City’s progression straight through to the last 16 means they have avoided a repeat of last season’s fixture congestion in February, giving them a full week’s rest for Premier League games against Newcastle and Leeds.
The last-16 draw took place on Friday, February 27 and Man City have, once again, been paired with Real Madrid. The first leg will be played on March 11 at the Santiago Bernabeu as Guardiola’s side aim to replicate their win over Los Blancos in the league phase.
With the second leg at the Etihad Stadium taking place six days later, it means City will have the same period of rest as Arsenal - also facing Bayer Leverkusen on the same night - before the Carabao Cup final.
