PSG to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League Round of 16

The draw for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League took place in Nyon back on Nov. 7. The bouncy balls paired PSG with Bayern Munich in a re-do of the Final of the 2020 edition of the UCL.

Paris Saint-Germain qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League by finishing second in their group behind Portuguese side Benfica.

It was a rather bizarre conclusion, with the two teams tied at everything except the goal difference in games played away from home. Couldn't have gotten closer. Ultimately, though, this little difference is what ended up with PSG facing Bayern Munich and Benfica visiting Club Brugge instead.

On Monday, Nov. 7, the Round of 16 already had PSG boasting large chances of facing a top-tier, first-place team from the group stage played before the World Cup break.

Luck named Bayern Munich, the same German team PSG faced in the 2020 UCL Final that the Bavarian ended up winning by a tiny 1-0 margin.

PSG and Bayern Munich will rekindle their UCL relationship in 2023 after having met each other in the 2020 UCL Final

Bayern Munich have scored have scored 49 goals in 15 Bundesliga matches this season. They average 3.3 goals per game. Both tallies are larger than PSG's 43 goals in 15 Ligue 1 games this season for an average of 2.9.

Bayern has conceded 13 goals while PSG has allowed domestic sides to score only 9 goals on them.

When it comes to Champions League numbers, Bayern has scored 18 games in their six group-stage games while only conceding two. PSG has less flashy numbers, with 16 goals scored and a worry seven goals allowed.

While Bayern Munich has one of the most powerful attacks in Europe, PSG's close to it if not on par thanks to the presence of the top three football players in their forward line: Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe.

Bayern Munich will be without Sadio Mane, who missed the World Cup entirely and is expected to be out through the Round of 16 entirely or at the very least partially (first leg).

Leon Goretzka will be back in action come January, while Lucas Hernandez got injured in Qatar and will miss the remainder of the season.

PSG won't have any problems as things stand, with Nuno Mendes the only doubt after injuring his thigh with Portugal in Qatar forfeiting the rest of the competition and expected to return in early February. Fabian Ruiz and Danilo Pereira are expected back before the new year.

The first leg of the Round of 16 between PSG and Bayern Munich will be played at the Parc des Princes on Feb. 14, 2023. The second leg will be held on German soil with Bayern Munich hosting PSG at the Allianz Arena on Mar. 8, 2023.