The Blues, having reached the knock-out stages for the first time, already know there are only five possible group-winners they can face at this stage because of the way the draw is structured.
City cannot face another English team in this round, ruling out a clash with Chelsea or Manchester United and as Manuel Pellegrini’s men finished runners-up, they must also face one of the remaining group winners – except the winners of our own group, Bayern Munich.
Simplified, City will take on one from Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid or Barcelona for a place in the quarter-finals of the competition.
The Blues lost out to Real Madrid last season in the group stages, going down 3-2 in Madrid and drawing 1-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
Also, in 2008, City drew 0-0 with Paris St Germain in the Europa League group stage.
Manuel Pellegrini, fresh from watching his side thrash Arsenal 6-3, said: “There are no easy teams in the round of 16 games and the Spanish teams are included in that, but though we’re not scared of anyone, it will be a challenge no matter who we face.”
City also met Borussia Dortmund last season, drawing 1-1 at the Etihad Stadium and losing the return match 1-0 – but have never competitively faced Barcelona or Atletico Madrid.
The other English sides can face the following clubs:
Arsenal: Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid or Barcelona.
Chelsea: Bayer Leverkusen, Galatasaray, Olympiakos, Zenit St Petersburg or AC Milan.
Manchester United: Galatasaray, Olympiakos, Schalke, Zenit St Petersburg or AC Milan.
The first leg will be in February with the date and ticket details announced on mcfc.co.uk in due course.
