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Schalke draw Real Madrid in Champions League knockouts

December 16, 2014

Aside from Schalke, Germany's Bundesliga teams have drawn relatively beatable opponents in the knockout rounds of the Champions League in Nyon on Monday. In the Europa League, it's a different story though.

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Real Madrid plays against Schalke in early 2014
Image: AFP/Getty Images

Schalke have one of the toughest assignments in the upcoming Round of 16 of the Champions League, after drawing Real Madrid as their next opponent. Schalke played Real at the same stage of the competition last year, losing 6-1 in the first leg.

The Spanish team, which includes star striker Cristiano Ronaldo, are considered one of the favorites to at least make the final of the competition next June in Berlin.

Germany's other Champions League representatives were dealt more manageable assignments in Nyon on Monday, as UEFA drew the next round of Champions League matches.

Champions League draw
The draw in Nyon, Switzerland, saw Europe's best clubs line up against each otherImage: Reuters/P. Albouy

Special guest Karl-Heinz Riedle - who won the European competition in 1997 with Borussia Dortmund - helped draw the ball which saw Juventus take on Borussia Dortmund.

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke told German broadcaster Sky Sports News HD after the draw that the Italians would be a tough opponent.

"They have a lot of international experience," he said. "We have a 50-50 chance."

"We hope that the winter break will allow us to re-group ahead of these matches, maybe Marco Reus will be back in the squad by then," Watzke said.

German champions Bayern Munich will take on Shakhtar Donetsk in their first game of the knockout rounds in the Champions League, in what should be an achievable assignment in the Ukraine. Meanwhile Bayer Leverkusen will take on Atletico Madrid in their Round of 16 tie.

The Champions League knockout games are due to begin on February 17 of next year.

Infografik

Tough Europa League assignments

Fixtures were also drawn for the next round of knockout matches in Europe's secondary club competition, the Europa League. The two German clubs in the competition will now have their work cut out to make the next round.

In February, Wolfsburg are set to meet Sporting Lisbon, who got bumped out of the Champions League earlier this month. The Portuguese are especially known for their attacking football, spearheaded by top winger Nani.

Meanwhile, Borussia Mönchengladbach will play Sevilla in their Round of 32 match. The Spaniards won the Europa League competition last season, defeating Benfica 4-2 in the final in Turin.

al/mg (dpa, SID)