CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW: POSSIBLE OPPONENTS

"We're starting to talk about something serious," said Paolo Maldini after AC Milan v FC Salzburg. The win over the Austrian outfit saw the Rossoneri book their place in the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds for the first time since 2013/14. We will find out who the Rossoneri's opponents are at the round of 16 draw in Nyon on Monday 7 November. Let's take a closer look at the six teams who AC Milan can be drawn against:

BAYERN MUNICH
The German champions dominated group C, in which Inter were also drawn, with a perfect record: six wins, 18 points, 18 goals scored and just two conceded. The Bavarian giants have won the Bundesliga in every season since 2012/13 and, despite losing attacking ace Lewandowski in the summer, continue to prove that they have the offensive firepower to hurt any team. 35-year-old head coach Julian Nagelsmann has at his disposal a wealth of attacking talent in Mané, Sané, Gnabry, Coman, the eternal Müller, youngsters Musiala and Tel and the ever-dependable Choupo-Moting. Die Roten are a top team and consistently rank among the best sides in Europe.

REAL MADRID
We'd need to write an essay to fully cover the strength, quality and longevity of a team that has won five Champions League titles in the last nine years, thanks to a ridiculously talented squad. It would be a special draw for the Rossoneri too, given that Carlo Ancelotti, who guided AC Milan to their last two European titles (2003 and 2007), is their current boss. Reigning champions Real won group F ahead of RB Leipzig, Shakhtar and Celtic, and Los Blancos also lead La Liga with a one-point lead over rivals Barcelona. The leader of this side in all senses is none other than Ballon d'Or 2022 winner Karim Benzema.

TOTTENHAM
Coached by a man who is well known in Italian football, Antonio Conte, Tottenham triumphed in an even group D, qualifying for the round of 16 thanks to a win over Marseille at the Vélodrome. Spurs are back in the Champions League this season after a two-year absence and qualified in style with a fantastic run in the Premier League under Conte at the back end of last season. Despite having a smaller trophy cabinet than the other contenders in the competition, the North London side are a tough team to take on. Spurs play with physicality and tempo and currently sit in third in England's top flight behind Arsenal and Manchester City. Their squad boasts many players who have played in Serie A, such as Bentancur, Kulusevski, Perišić and Romero.

MANCHESTER CITY
From trophy to trophy: Guardiola's Sky Blues - who were named Team of the Year 2022 by France Football - have won four out of the past five editions of the Premier League and play a style of football of rare beauty. In the summer, they added Erling Haaland to their squad and the former Borussia Dortmund man has already scored 22 goals in 14 games in the Premier League and Champions League. The Norwegian is certainly the number 1 threat, especially when served by the creative talents of De Bruyne, Cancelo and Foden. The Citizens are currently two points behind leaders Arsenal in the league, though they have a game in hand, and they got out of group G in Europe with 14 points from a possible 18.

BENFICA
The surprise of the last matchday but only due to the dramatic fashion of their qualification. Roger Schmidt's Benfica had a stunning campaign in the group stage as they knocked out Juventus and beat PSG. As Águias qualified ahead of the Parisian side on away goals scored after the two sides finished level on head-to-head, points and goal difference. Benfica play good football; they entertain both in Europe and the league and, after selling Darwin Núñez to Liverpool in the summer, have already shown off some promising young talents in Rafa Silva and Enzo Fernández and added experience campaigners to their squad in João Mário, David Neres, Draxler and Otamendi.

PORTO
Os Dragões won Group B at the death, overtaking Club Brugge on the final matchday thanks to their win over Atlético de Madrid and the Belgians' draw with Bayer Leverkusen. The Rossoneri and the Azuis e brancos are well acquainted with each other after being drawn in the same group last season:  1-0 to Porto at the Dragão and 1-1 at San Siro. Conceição has drilled his team well; they're compact and difficult to break down. Porto are currently eight points behind leaders Benfica in the Primeira Liga.

RULES OF THE DRAW
As mentioned above, the draw will take place at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon (Switzerland) at 12:00 CET on Monday 7 November. Clubs from the same association may not be drawn together for the round of 16, nor can teams that were in the same group. The group winners will play the second leg at home: the first legs will be played on 14/15/21/22 February, while the return fixtures are set for 7/8/14/15 March. The away goals rule has been abolished so all ties that finish level after two legs will go to extra time and then penalties if needed.

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