The draw took place on Monday 11th December for the round of 16, knock out, stage of the UEFA Champions League, which drew the 8 group stage winners against the 8 second placed group qualifiers, with provisos that they could play neither teams from their respective countries, nor teams from the same qualifying group as themselves, which meant that each team faced a different range of potential opponents, and left the worst options open to Chelsea, of the English teams, since the others finished top of their respective groups. Whilst the 4 first placed group qualifiers from England would have been deemed to have received a favourable draw, with the possible exception of Spurs,
Chelsea’s options as opponents were limited to one of the favourites for the competition in either Barcelona or PSG, or Besitkas. In the event, Chelsea drew Barcelona, whilst Liverpool drew Porto of Portugal, Manchester City drew Basel of Switzerland, Manchester United drew Sevilla of Spain, and Spurs were paired with Juventus of Italy, though all will consider themselves as in with a good chance of qualifying for the quarter finals from the home and away leg ties.
