Reactions have poured in across Europe following the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw, with elite managers and club officials weighing in on headline fixtures, particularly the now-familiar duel between Real Madrid C.F. and Manchester City F.C..
The knockout bracket has produced several high-profile encounters, including Paris Saint-Germain F.C. against Chelsea F.C., Bayern Munich versus Atalanta, and Barcelona’s tie with Newcastle.
PSG manager Luis Enrique dismissed any notion of revenge ahead of facing Chelsea.
“No spirit of revenge against Chelsea, no. It’s motivating to play against an English team. They’ve changed a lot since the Club World Cup, and the context will be different.”
The Spaniard emphasized evolution on both sides, suggesting the tie will reflect current form rather than past meetings.
For Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, another clash with Real Madrid represents opportunity rather than frustration.
“For our club, as much as you play against the best teams in the whole history of this competition, you learn and improve and you are better in the future”.
City and Madrid have developed one of modern football’s defining rivalries, meeting repeatedly in recent knockout stages.
Real Madrid’s director of institutional relations, Emilio Butragueño, acknowledged the growing familiarity of the matchup.
“It’s weird that we’re playing against Manchester City every season.”
Despite the repetition, he welcomed the spectacle the fixture consistently delivers.
“I think the fans will have a lot of fun. Every time we play against Man City, it’s all-out offensive football, two teams that want to rule the game, a lot of goals scored. It’s one of the best ties in football.”
Meanwhile, Hansi Flick kept the bigger picture in focus amid Barcelona’s path through the bracket.
“We all want to reach the Champions League final.”
With the final set for Budapest in May, managers are balancing excitement with caution as Europe’s elite prepare for decisive two-legged battles.
From tactical respect to competitive familiarity, one message is clear: the road to the Champions League final promises intensity, ambition, and spectacle at every stage.
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