London: Eight stunning ties emerged from Friday’s draw for the first knockout round of the Champions League, with Chelsea’s clash against Barcelona topping the bill.

In another potential humdinger, Arsenal will meet nine-time champions Real Madrid ? the first competitive European meeting between the clubs.

Defending champions Liverpool will continue their quest for a sixth crown against Benfica, who beat Liverpool’s English rivals Manchester United 2-1 last week to clinch their place in the last-16.

Bayern Munich renew their rivalry with AC Milan, Ajax Amsterdam meet old foes Inter Milan while PSV Eindhoven and Olympique Lyon clash again following PSV’s 4-2 quarter-final win on penalties last spring after the teams drew 2-2 on aggregate.

Juventus face Werder Bremen and Rangers meet Villarreal in the other two ties which will be played at the end of February and the beginning of March next year. The final will be in Paris on May 17.

Chelsea and Barcelona clashed at the same stage last season when Chelsea won an astonishing tie 5-4 on aggregate despite a virtuoso performance from Ronaldinho who scored a breathtaking goal of individual brilliance in the second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Barcelona won the first leg 2-1 in the Nou Camp on February 23, but Chelsea won the second leg 4-2 in London two weeks later after racing into a 3-0 lead inside 19 minutes.

Reacting on the repeat clash, Ronaldinho said fans should expect another classic.

“It will be another top contest between two coaches with high tactical awareness, we should expect something good,” said Ronaldinho.

“To go 0-3 down after 20 minutes is not normal by today’s standards. We kept chasing the game, we scored two goals and then suffered another goal. It was a completely unique match.”

Barcelona and Juventus have been made joint favourites to win the Champions League.

According to British bookmakers William Hill, Barcelona and Juventus were made 5-1 favourites

(Reuters)

the last-16 draw

Ajax Amsterdam vs Inter Milan
• Bayern Munich vs AC Milan
• Benfica vs Liverpool
• Chelsea vs Barcelona
• PSV Eindhoven vs Olympique Lyon
• Rangers vs Villarreal
• Real Madrid vs Arsenal
• Werder Bremen vs Juventus