CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
The Champions League is back: matches, schedules and Round of 16 dates
The 2023/24 Champions League is back with sixteen sides still left in the competition including four from Spain’s LaLiga.
The most important competition in European club football is back after a two month hiatus as the the Champions League returns following the conclusion of the group stage last December as sixteen teams remain in contention looking to secure the title on 1 June final in Wembley Stadium (London).
Spanish teams dominate the last sixteen with Atletico Madrid, Real Sociedad, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid flying the flag for LaLiga with Sevilla the only team failing to advance from their group after a dismal campaign.
Real Sociedad and Real Madrid LaLiga teams will be first up in their round of 16 matches, both away from home against PSG and RB Leipzig respectively. Madrid are expected to advance against the Bundesliga outfit despite Carlo Ancelotti’s side plagued with Jude Bellingham being the latest player to check onto the injured list with the English player expected to miss the nest three week’s of action.
Holders Manchester City continue their title defence in the Danish capital as they face FC Copenhagen with Bayern Munich and under pressure manager Thomas Tuchel facing a tricky trio to Rome as they face Lazio.
Champions League round of 16 matches schedule:
The round of 16 will be played over eight different days in which two games will be played per date. The first leg matches are in February, and the return matches are in March.
| Date | Local | Visitor | Kick-off time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13/2 | Copenhagen | Manchester City | 3pm |
| 13/2 | RB Leipzig | Real Madrid | 3pm |
| 14/2 | PSG | Real Sociedad | 3pm |
| 14/2 | Lazio | Bayern | 3pm |
| 20/2 | PSV | Dortmund | 3pm |
| 20/2 | Inter | Atlético Madrid | 3pm |
| 21/2 | Porto | Arsenal | 3pm |
| 21/2 | Napoli | Barça | 3pm |
| 05/3 | Bayern | Lazio | 3pm |
| 05/3 | Real Sociedad | PSG | 3pm |
| 06/3 | Real Madrid | RB Leipzig | 3pm |
| 06/3 | Manchester City | Copenhagen | 3pm |
| 12/3 | Arsenal | Porto | 3pm |
| 12/3 | Barcelona | Napoli | 3pm |
| 13/3 | Atlético Madrid | Inter | 3pm |
| 13/3 | Dortmund | PSV | 3pm |
New balls please
On Monday, Adidas presented the UCL Pro Ball London - the Official Match Ball for the Men’s 2023/24 UEFA Champions League knock-out stage and final.
The ball celebrates the final host city, London and featured vibrant graphics featuring two roaring lions fighting among the stars. While the lion is symbolic of the rich history and culture of England and its capital city, it also represents, the bravery and strength of the players and the majesty of European club football’s most coveted trophy.
The ball comes with the latest advanced technology which will offer the players grip and complete control with a thermally bonded seamless construction which guarantees ultimate performance.