After winning 3-0 in the Bundesliga, FC Bayern Munich is looking forward to the round of 16 draw in the Champions League.
“I am of course optimistic that we will have an opponent that we can beat,” said President Herbert Hainer. “On the other hand, I am convinced that if our team brings what they showed on the pitch today, then we don’t have to be afraid of any opponent.” The round of 16 will be drawn today at 12 noon at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
The Munich team convincingly beat VfB Stuttgart in the top game on Sunday. Harry Kane and the also strong South Korean Minjae Kim scored the goals for the series champions. In the table, FC Bayern are second behind Bayer Leverkusen, four points behind, but have played one game less than the Rhinelanders.
Six possible opponents in the round of 16
There are six possible opponents in the round of 16 of the Champions League, including three from Italy. The German soccer champions could be drawn against the Italian champions SSC Napoli, the last-time finalists Inter Milan or Lazio Rome. “There are no wishes,” said coach Thomas Tuchel on Sunday evening.
Another duel with Paris Saint-Germain is also possible. Bayern beat France’s top team around star striker Kylian Mbappé, which came second in Group F behind Borussia Dortmund, in the round of 16 last season. The other possible opponents for Bayern are FC Porto and PSV Eindhoven. Group opponents FC Copenhagen, as well as RB Leipzig and Dortmund, are eliminated from the draw as Munich opponents. A German duel would only be possible from the quarter-finals onwards.
The round of 16 will take place in the new year. The first legs will take place on the 13th/14th/20th/21st. February, the second legs on the 5th/6th/12th/13th. March. As first in the group, Bayern will initially compete away.
