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Bayern draw Besiktas in the last 16

Davis VanOpdorp
December 11, 2017

Bayern Munich avoided the big English and Spanish teams in the Champions League last-16 draw. They were paired with Turkish champions Besiktas, a team they have not faced in 20 years.

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Fußball Auslosung Achtelfinale Champions League FC Bayern München
Image: Getty Images/AFP/F. Coffrini

Bayern Munich are to face Istanbul-based Besiktas after the Bavarians drew the reigning champions of Turkey's top league in Monday's draw for the round of 16, held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon.

In the process, Bayern, who finished second to Paris Saint-Germain in Group B, avoided the group-stage winners from the English Premier League, which had five teams qualify for the last 16. They also managed to dodge dates with Catalan giants Barcelona, who three seasons prior had eliminated the Bavarians from the Champions League semifinals en route to a European treble.

The defending Bundesliga champions are the only German team to reach the knockout stage in the Champions League. RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund both finished third in their respective groups, consequently dropping to the Europa League.

Read more:

- Confident Bayern Munich prove a point against PSG 

- Borussia Dortmund lose to Real Madrid and exit Champions League winless

Last 16 Champions League draw results
The results from Monday's Champions League Round of 16 draw in Nyon, SwitzerlandImage: Getty Images/AFP/F. Coffrini

Ironic draw results

Bayern finished as runners-up despite beating PSG 3-1 last Tuesday to finish level on points, but the French club had a better head-to-head goal difference than Bayern. However, the Bavarians may get the last laugh as the Parisians were paired with two-time defending champions Real Madrid. Besiktas, meanwhile, had not qualified for the knockout rounds of the Champions League prior to this season.

"On paper, we got the better draw," Joshua Kimmich told a press conference in Munich on Monday. 

Besiktas, who have won the Turkish first division each of the last two seasons, won Group G after defeating Champions League debutants Leipzig last Wednesday. They also set five new bests for a Turkish team in a Champions League group stage.

"I watched them a little when they played Leipzig. Their fan atmosphere is rather impressive," Thomas Müller told the press conference. "We are happy with the draw and look forward to the last 16."

Bayern and Besiktas have met twice previously in the Champions League, both games having come in the group stage in the 1997-98 season. Bayern won both games by a score of 2-0.

Fußball UEFA Champions League - Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Borussia Dortmund will face Atalanta after crashing out of the Champions LeagueImage: Imago/Kirchner-Media/D. Inderlied

Italian opponents in the Europa League

Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig both received Italian opponents in Monday's Europa League draw, which was held shortly after the Champions League draw in Nyon. 

Dortmund were paired with Atalanta, who won Group E in the Europa League. BVB failed to win any of their Group H games in the Champions League, something that contributed to the club's decision to sack Peter Bosz following Dortmund's 2-1 defeat at home in the Bundesliga on Saturday. Dortmund were previously in the Europa League in the 2015-16 season, reaching the quarterfinals under then-coach Thomas Tuchel before losing to Liverpool.

RB Leipzig, currently second in the Bundesliga, received a much tougher Italian opponent in Napoli. Leipzig failed to overcome a difficult Group G in the Champions League, which included Besiktas, Portuguese side Porto and French champions Monaco. Napoli's Champions League campaign wasn't any better, but like Leipzig they are in second place in their domestic league.