They know exactly what it takes to be European champion, and in Ronaldo have the most prolific goal-scorer in the competition's history. Emilio Butragueno, a Real director and former striker, regretted that one of the favourites would be eliminated so soon in the competition. "For the potential of the two teams, luck has worked out this way and one of the two teams will be out at the last 16 stage, which we think is a bit soon taking into account they are two of the contenders for the title," Butragueno told BeIN Sports Spain.BREAKING: Here's the last 16 draw for the @ChampionsLeague. Follow reaction to the draw here: https://t.co/Q3tXo1ySOL #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/F4yuPHPYvq
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 11, 2017
PSG made waves in the transfer market in the close season when they signed Brazilian star Neymar for a world-record 222m euros ($261.5m), followed closely by great French hope Kylian Mbappe, who will cost 180m euros when his loan deal becomes permanent next summer. "Every summer they have signed great players, they get stronger all the time and they have had a nearly impeccable group stage," acknowledged Butragueno. "With Neymar and Mbappe they have improved a lot up front, they are a very dangerous team who will demand the best of us. We need to face both games like finals and for the fans it will be a thrilling tie. "Mbappe and Neymar are very dangerous. We need to play at our best, but we can't forget this team have won the Champions League twice, we hope to have all the injured players back and the key is who has the luck over two games."WHAT. A. DRAW!
Your full line up for the Champions League last 16 ? pic.twitter.com/bmfA6tTUAn— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) December 11, 2017
Butragueno added: "Of course it is the big tie of the round. Chelsea-Barcelona is important too, but I think for the players that will be on show, it is the most attractive of all the ties." PSG ambassador Maxwell said the Real tie threw up the chance for the Parisian club to atone for their 6-1 hammering by Barca that eliminated them in the last 16 last season. "It's a good draw, with two good games to play," Maxwell said. "Our fans will like it after we were knocked out by Barca last season. "It will be nice. It's a beautiful challenge for the club. I think we're ready for that." While Real's La Liga rival Barcelona were drawn against Chelsea, English Premier League leader Manchester City play Basel, who have had some fine results against English sides in recent years.Today's @ChampionsLeague last 16 draw gets underway at 11am... who do you want? #UCLDrawhttps://t.co/8rBgnoQSas
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 11, 2017
Five-time winner and current Bundesliga table topper Bayern Munich drew Turkish giant Besiktas, while last year's beaten finalist Juventus take on Tottenham Hotspur. Bayern's director of sport Hasan Salihamidzic said the Germans would not be underestimating Besiktas, who should enjoy some raucous support from the city's Turkish community. "We know how strong they are after we followed their games against RB Leipzig. It will be a difficult task, but we are looking forward to the unusual atmosphere in their stadium," he said.And then there were 16...
Watch the draw for the Champions League knockout stages live this morning... ? 10.45am ? BT Sport 2 HD ? https://t.co/xadgHBDR7P pic.twitter.com/HFqzOfgdbk— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) December 11, 2017
"One always says that it is a disadvantage to play at home in the first-leg, which is right - it certainly won't be an advantage - but we are strong enough to accept that and we will give our all." With a record five English clubs in the draw, three-time champion Manchester United face Sevilla and Liverpool, five-time winner, will be up against two-time former champion Porto. Unfancied Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk will play Roma. First legs will be played on February 13/14 and 20/21, with second legs on March 6/7 and 13/14."I feel sorry for Chelsea fans"
Owen Hargreaves and Jermaine Jenas have their say on the Champions League last 16 draw... pic.twitter.com/TxOXvE6J9r— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) December 11, 2017
Fixture:Juventus v Tottenham Hotspur Basel v Manchester City Porto v Liverpool Sevilla v Manchester United Real Madrid v Paris St Germain Shakhtar Donetsk v AS Roma Chelsea v Barcelona Bayern Munich v BesiktasIn case you missed it, here's who can draw who after the conclusion of the Champions League group stage. https://t.co/2PuuB5iKfl pic.twitter.com/5QUHkM5tuC
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 7, 2017
