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Champions League: Bayern to face Leverkusen in R16

Chuck Penfold
February 21, 2025

The Champions League round of 16 is to feature both an all-German matchup and a Madrid derby. The two-legged ties are to be played in early to mid-March.

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UEFA Champions League trophy
The UEFA Champions League trophy is to be awarded following this year's final at Munich's Allianz Arena on May 31.Image: Daniel Cole/AP Photo/picture alliance

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich are to face Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16 of this year's Champions League. Germany's other team in Friday's draw, struggling Borussia Dortmund , who are also last year's Champions League finalists, are to face French Ligue 1 outfit Lille.

Bayern Munich, who are looking for their first Champions League title since 2020, are eight points clear of Leverkusen in the Bundesliga and the two teams played out a scoreless draw last weekend. Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen broke Bayern's lock on the Bundesliga title last season, winning the club's first league title.

Leverkusen's Alex Grimaldo battles Bayern's Kingsley Coman for the ball
Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich have never previously met in a European tieImage: Marius Becker/dpa/picture alliance

The draw also produced a mouth-watering matchup in Spain, where defending champions Real Madrid were paired with cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid.

The first leg matches in the round of 16 are to be played on March 4 and 5, with the return legs scheduled for the following week, March 11 and 12.

Munich's Allianz Arena will host the final on May 31.

Edited by: Rob Mudge