British clubs given Champions League testers
Holders Barcelona face a tricky tie against 2005 winners Liverpool in first knockout round
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Friday, 15, Dec 2006 10:11
The Champions League winners of the last two seasons will meet in the first knockout stage after Liverpool were paired with Spanish giants Barcelona.
The current holders finished as runners-up to Premiership champions Chelsea in group A and will now play another English club in the Merseysiders.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will return to his former club Porto, who he led to victory in the same competition in 2004, as the two teams were the first names out of the hat in the draw in Nyon, Switzerland.
Scottish champions Celtic, the first team from north of the border to reach the knockout rounds, will play six-time winners AC Milan.
The two other English teams both have slightly easier prospects. Arsenal will play Dutch team PSV Eindhoven and current Premiership leaders Manchester United are rewarded with a tie against outsiders Lille after finishing top of group F.
One of the ties of the round will undoubtedly be nine-time winners Real Madrid against German champions Bayern Munich, while Roma against Lyon and Valencia versus Inter Milan complete the last 16 line-up.
The first-leg games will take place on February 21st/22nd, with the return leg played on March 6th/7th. Group winners will be away in the first match.
The draw in full:
Porto vs ChelseaCeltic vs AC Milan
PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal
Lille vs Manchester United
Roma vs Lyon
Barcelona vs Liverpool
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich
Inter Milan vs Valencia