Champions League returns with PSG-Real Madrid clash as last 16 begins Tuesday

By Muhammed Enes Calli

ANKARA (AA) – The UEFA Champions League is set to return with a highly anticipated last 16 clash between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Real Madrid on Tuesday.

On their way to knockout stage, PSG came second behind Manchester City in the Group A with 11 points while Real Madrid won the Group D with 15 points after five victories in six matches.

PSG will lack Sergio Ramos, 35, in the first leg against Spain's Real Madrid in Paris as the Spanish central defender, who was a longtime Real Madrid player, previously faced a calf injury and he is in a recovery period.

"Sergio Ramos will continue to train on his own following his calf injury. A further update will be provided in a week's time," PSG said in a statement on Monday.

Ramos, the 2010 FIFA World Cup champion with Spain, played for Real Madrid in 2005-2021 but left the Whites for PSG last summer.

He was a Real Madrid captain as well.

The match will take place at Parc des Princes at 2000GMT and will be refereed by Italian Daniele Orsato.

PSG are still seeking to win their first Champions League trophy as they lost to Bayern Munich 1-0 in the 2020 final held in Lisbon.

Meanwhile Real Madrid is the most successful club in the tournament as the Whites secured Europe's top-tier club trophy for a record 13 times.

Real Madrid last won the Champions League title in 2018 after beating Liverpool 3-1 in Kyiv.

- Champions League Round of 16 fixtures:

Tuesday

Paris Saint-Germain (France) - Real Madrid (Spain)

Sporting (Portugal) - Manchester City (England)

Wednesday

Inter Milan (Italy) - Liverpool (England)

Red Bull Salzburg (Austria) - Bayern Munich (Germany)