LONDON, Dec 16: Eight stunning ties emerged from Friday’s draw for the first knockout round of the Champions League with Chelsea’s clash against Barcelona topping the bill.

In another titanic tie Arsenal meet nine-times European champions Real Madrid, the first competitive European meeting between the clubs.

Liverpool will continue their quest for a sixth European champions title against Benfica, who beat Liverpool’s English rivals Manchester United 2-1 last week to clinch their place in the last 16.

Bayern Munich renew their rivalry with AC Milan, Ajax Amsterdam meet old foes Inter Milan while PSV Eindhoven and Olympique Lyon clash again after PSV won their quarter-final match 4-2 on penalties last spring after the teams drew 2-2 on aggregate.

Juventus face Werder Bremen and Rangers play Villarreal in the other two ties which will be played at the end of February and the beginning of March next year. The final is in Paris on May 17.

Barcelona, the 1992 European champions, and Juventus, European Cup winners in 1985 and 1996, were made 5-1 joint favourites to win the competition by British bookmakers William Hill.

Chelsea and Barcelona clashed at the same stage last season when Chelsea won an astonishing tie 5-4 on aggregate.

Barcelona won the first leg 2-1 in the Nou Camp on Feb 23, but Chelsea won the second leg 4-2 in London two weeks later.

Barca had pulled the score back to 3-2 on the night to lead on the away goals rule after 38 minutes, before a John Terry goal 14 minutes from the end won a memorable match for Chelsea who went on to beat Bayern Munich before losing to Liverpool in the semi-finals.

Arsenal and Real Madrid have never met in European competition before but the tie means David Beckham will return to his home town to play a rare competitive match in England.

Both teams are currently playing below their usual high standards and if Real managed to knock out Arsenal they would be the last European visitors to Highbury before the London club move to their new ground next season.

The first legs will be played on Feb 21/22 with the return legs on March 7/8.

Champions League last 16 fixtures

Main Tournament - Last 16, first leg

Tuesday, Feb 21 (GMT) Ajax Amsterdam v Inter Milan Bayern Munich v AC Milan Benfica v Liverpool Chelsea v Barcelona PSV Eindhoven v Olympique Lyon Rangers v Villarreal Real Madrid v Arsenal Werder Bremen v Juventus

Main Tournament - Last 16, second leg

Wednesday, March 8 (GMT) AC Milan v Bayern Munich Arsenal v Real Madrid Barcelona v Chelsea Juventus v Werder Bremen Liverpool v Benfica Olympique Lyon v PSV Eindhoven Villarreal v Rangers

Main Tournament - Last 16, second leg

Tuesday, March 14 (GMT) Inter Milan v Ajax Amsterdam.—Agencies