Kruse to face PSG in Champions League

Socceroo Robbie Kruse will get the opportunity to play against the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Edinson Cavani in UEFA's Champions League.

Socceroo Robbie Kruse will get the opportunity to play against the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Edinson Cavani after Bayern Laverkusen were pitted against Paris Saint-Germain in UEFA's Champions League.

Kruse-s club side, which currently sit second in the German Bundesliga, were drawn to face the Ligue 1 leaders in the first knockout stage of Europe-s elite competition overnight. The 25-year-old has made four appearances for Leverkusen this campaign, including last week's 1-0 win over Real Sociedad.

The must-win result helped ensure Leverkusen qualified for the draw, which was conducted in Nyon, Switzerland. Having finished second in their group and being unable to face domestic rivals, they had the opportunity to face either Real Madrid, Chelsea, Atlético Madrid, Barcelona or PSG.

On the back of making his UEFA Champions League debut on the final matchday of the group stage, Mark Schwarzer-s Chelsea were drawn to face Galatasaray in the Round of 16.

The 41-year-old became the oldest debutant in the competition when he kept a cleansheet against Steaua Bucharest but it remains the be seen if he will be given another outing in place of first-choice goalkeeper Petr Cech.

In other intriguing matchups, reigning European Champions Bayern Munich were drawn against English Premier League leaders Arsenal. In form Manchester City were pitted against Spanish giants Barcelona, while Manchester United will face Greek outfit Olympiacos.

The first legs of the next phase of UEFA-s Champions League will take place on February 18/19 and 25/26, with the return matches set for March 11-12 and 18-19. The sides that finished second in their group will host the first leg against their group topping opposition.

UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Draw:

Manchester City v Barcelona Bayer Leverkusen v Paris St-Germain Arsenal v Bayern Munich AC Milan v Atletico Madrid Olympiakos v Manchester United Zenit St Petersburg v Borussia Dortmund Galatasaray v Chelsea Schalke v Real Madrid