We simulated Champions League last 16 draw and Man City were handed a tricky tie
14.12.2023 - 15:25
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester City have made light work of their defence of the Champions League so far this season.
The Blues had guaranteed a spot in the round of 16 after matchday four and secured top spot on matchday five with a win over RB Leipzig. This allowed Pep Guardiola the luxury of rotating his squad with youngsters and fringe players getting the nod.
Pleasingly for City, the academy players stepped up to the plate. Both Micah Hamilton and Oscar Bobb scored their first senior goals as Guardiola's much-changed team progressed with a 100 per cent record.
READ MORE: Guardiola has just one regret after academy dream night
READ MORE: Haaland sends message to Bobb and Hamilton
All eyes are now on Monday's draw for the first knockout stage and ahead of the proceedings, MEN Sport simulated how it could play out.
How does the draw work?
The top two placed teams in the Champions League qualified for the round of 16. Group winners are seeded for the draw while those who were runners-up are unseeded.
Group winners are paired up against the runners-up to complete the draw. The only caveats are that teams from the same country cannot face each other until the quarter-finals and two sides who qualified from the same group cannot meet.
Therefore, if an English side had finished second, City could not face them and they could also not play RB Leipzig either.
Which teams are seeded?
Which teams are unseeded?
Who did City draw?
In our simulation, City were handed the tough task of facing FC Porto in the next round. The Portuguese side qualified for the round of 16 on the final matchday with a thrilling 5-3 victory over Shakthar Donetsk.
FC Porto currently sit second in their division but are only behind leaders Sporting Lisbon on