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Champions League draw announced

Pa
Friday 16 December 2005 14:35 GMT
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Chelsea will renew hostilities with Barcelona in the Champions League after being pitted together in the last 16.

The sides met at the same stage of last season's competition, with Jose Mourinho's side emerging triumphant over the two legs.

They lost the first leg 2-1 in the Nou Camp, a match which became infamous for Mourinho's allegation that Barca coach Frank Rijkaard met with referee Anders Frisk in the official's dressing room at half-time.

Uefa found no basis to the remarks and banned Mourinho from the touchline for two matches, though the Blues managed to win through 5-4 on aggregate after a 4-2 win at Stamford Bridge.

The first leg this time will be in west London, with the tie to be played on February 22nd. The return match will take place on March 7.

Arsenal will face Real Madrid in their last 16 tie, with the first leg to be played at the Bernabeu on February 21.

Gunners vice-chairman David Dein described the pairing as a "showbiz" encounter, and it means an English match-up for David Beckham and co, while Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, recently linked with the coaching job at Real, will be able to give them a first-hand glimpse of his tactical nous.

For Liverpool, the defence of their title continues against Benfica, with the Portuguese champions having knocked Manchester United out at the group stage.

The Eagles won 2-1 at the Stadium of Light to book their passage and Liverpool will travel to the same venue in Lisbon for the first leg of their last 16 clash on February 21.

The full draw for the Uefa Champions League First Knock-Out Round

Chelsea v Barcelona

Real Madrid v Arsenal

Werder Bremen v Juventus

Bayern Munich v AC Milan

PSV v Lyon

Ajax v Inter Milan

Benfica v Liverpool

Rangers v Villarreal

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