Champions League Round of 16 draw: Discussion and Live Thread

It’s that time of the year again! No, I don’t mean Christmas. I’m talking about the draw for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16! Bayern Munich fans will be anxiously awaiting the results of the draw, because for the first time in a long while, the candidates are pretty threatening.

How it works:

Since the Bavarians finished the group stage in 1st place, they will be drawn against one of the group runners-up. However, the rules state that a team cannot draw an opponent from its own league, so Schalke won’t be in consideration as a potential opponent. Here are the teams Bayern might draw:

• Atlético Madrid (ESP)
• Liverpool (ENG)
• Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)
• Manchester United (ENG)
• AS Roma (ITA)
• Tottenham Hotspur (ENG)

As you can see, there’s the potential for a very difficult draw this year. No more Arsenal to provide free tickets into the quarter finals. Niko Kovac’s Bayern haven’t been at their best, so they will hope for a relatively easy team to kick off the knockouts stages, especially considering the fact that Thomas Muller may end up suspended for the entire round of 16.

Even the “easiest” teams on the list — Manchester United and Roma — could give the Bavarians problems, while Atletico Madrid and Liverpool could knock the team out altogether. Lyon and Spurs are no slouches. As it stands right now, the prospects don’t look so rosy for the coach and his men. However, the games will be played in February — who knows what will happen by then?

The draw will take place at UEFA’s HQ in Nyon, Switzerland at 12:00 CET. Feel free to discuss the proceedings in the comments section below!

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