It will be a cracker of a match when Barcelona and Manchester City will be engaged in a battle for a spot in the final eight of the current edition of the UEFA Champions League. The matches of the second round of the tournament have been scheduled to be held in mid-February. Four-time European champions Barcelona will have to play exceptionally well away from their home to curb the threat that will be poised by Man 
City. City who has been in great form at the Etihad surely has a tough task ahead of them. A strong away performance from them can well cause a major upset early in the tournament.
Defending European champion and reigning German champion Bayern Munich has got a re-match of last year’s tie. They will be facing Arsenal at the same stage of the tournament for the second time in a row. Last year Arsenal lost out on away goal but this year the result can go the other way as the current English Premier League toppers are on a role and are maintaining a great form due to inclusions of few young players. The inclusion of Mesut Ozil has definitely heightened the level of Arsenal’s performance. It won’t be an easy encounter for the Germans who should be wary of English opponents as they have already lost out to Man City in the last group league match.
Nine-time champion Real Madrid will be facing the German side Schalke 04. Though it seems to be an easy outing for Carlos Ancelotti’s boys, Schalke can cause a lot of problems for the Spanish giants. To avert any danger the big names in the team need to fire at the right time.
Manchester United has got a relatively easier draw as they will be facing Greek champion Olympiakos Piraeus in the second round of the tournament. Manchester United are clear favourites on papers but taking into consideration the inconsistent display from David Moyes’ boys, a threat of a major upset will be looming large over the three-time champion.
Another English side Chelsea, the fourth one in the last sixteen, will be facing Galatasaray in their second round encounter. It will be an emotional return for Didier Drogba to Stamford Bridge when Galatasaray will be travelling to England to play their away match. Italian giant AC Milan will be playing Spanish side Athletico Madrid, 
which could well turn out to be an intriguing tie. Last season’s runner-up Borussia Dortmund will play Zenit St Petersburg in order to book their spot in the final eight of the tournament. Paris Saint Germain will face Bayer Leverkusen on their way to the next round.
As the draw for the second round of the tournament has been finished the mercury levels are beginning to rise as the whole of Europe just can’t wait to see the old rivals renewing their rivalries.
Round of 16 draw
Manchester City (Eng) vs FC Barcelona (Esp)
Olympiacos FC (Gre) vs Manchester United FC (Eng)
AC Milan (Ita) vs Club Atlético de Madrid (Esp)
Bayer 04 Leverkusen (Ger) vs Paris Saint-Germain (Fra)
Galatasaray A? (Tur) vs Chelsea FC (Eng)
FC Schalke 04 (Ger) vs Real Madrid CF (Esp)
FC Zenit (Rus) vs Borussia Dortmund (Ger)
Arsenal FC (Eng) vs FC Bayern München (Ger)
