While it was controversial, the Champions League Round of 16 draw has now concluded and we have some very intriguing clashes on hand. Headlining the pack is Real Madrid locking horns with PSG in a heavyweight encounter between two sides who are serious contenders to lift the trophy in May. Current title-holders Chelsea meanwhile received a rather manageable draw as they face Ligue 1 champions Lille.

Here are 3 must-watch ties in the Champions League knockout stages.

Real Madrid vs. PSG

Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos return to the Bernabeu as teammates rather than foes as PSG take on Los Blancos. This was definitely upsetting for the Spanish giants because, in the first draw, they were supposed to face Benfica but due to a technical error by UEFA, it had to be done again. Carlo Ancelotti's side, who is in top form this term and unbeaten in 13 games, will have a tall task at hand against the Parisians.

These two clubs have met six times in the Champions League, most recently in the 2019/20 group stage where Paris ran out as 3-0 winners then played to a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture. However, Madrid does hold the slight edge, winning three times and eliminating PSG in the Round of 16 in 2017/18.

One of the biggest storylines to keep an eye on however is Kylian Mbappe, who almost left for Real Madrid last summer before ultimately staying put. But, he does become a free agent next year and there is a firm belief that he will join the La Liga standouts, who are also eyeing Erling Haaland. Will Mbappe end Madrid's Champions League aspirations and prove just why they should be signing him?

Liverpool vs Inter Milan

Premier League giants Liverpool take on Italian champions Inter Milan in the Champions League Round of 16, who they've played four times before, winning three and losing just once. However, the two sides haven't clashed since the 2007/08 knockout stages, where the Reds won 3-0 on aggregate.

Liverpool soared through the group stages, collecting a perfect 18 points from six games. Mo Salah is firing on all cylinders both in England and Europe, scoring seven goals in the Champions League and another 14 in the Premier League. The Reds are looking like a very strong side this term and certainly need to be considered a contender for Europe's most prized competition.

Inter Milan is also flying high in Serie A but they weren't as dominant in the Champions League. The Nerazzurri went 3-0-2 and finished runners-up to Real Madrid in Group D. Liverpool is undoubtedly a tough matchup, but Inter's frontline has the potential to do some damage. Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez have been absolutely lethal this season, combining for 18 league goals. However, the Argentine has yet to hit the mark in the Champions League, while Dzeko has netted three times.

Although the Reds are certainly the favorite here, Inter will put up a respectable fight.

Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United

Atleti boss Diego Simeone was likely shaking in his boots when he saw who their opposition was going to be in the Champions League Round of 16. Manchester United might not be one of the best teams left in the competition, but Cristiano Ronaldo has absolutely terrorized Atletico during his career and that will leave Simeone concerned. The statistics speak for themselves:

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During his time at Real Madrid, Cristiano wreaked havoc against their rivals and couldn't stop scoring. That will be good news for the Red Devils, who finished atop Group F with 11 points from six outings. Ronaldo was their leading catalyst, bagging six goals in five appearances. This will also be his first time back in Madrid since returning to Old Trafford this past summer. In the 36-year-old's last game against Atleti with Juventus, he famously saved the Old Lady with a historic hat-trick in the 2019 Champions League round of 16.

United are starting to find their form since Ralf Rangnick took over, going unbeaten in six matches. They've never actually faced Atletico in this competition, but previously met in 1991 in the Winner's Cup, where the Spaniards came out victorious across two legs.

Atleti possesses one of the most rock-solid backlines on the continent, conceding just over one goal a game in LaLiga. They barely squeaked through to the Champions League knockout stages though, going 2-1-3 and managing to secure a matchday 6 victory over Porto in Portugal. Atletico is a regular in the competition however and knows what it takes to succeed, but it will simply come down to one factor. Can they stop Ronaldo from having his way in the final third?

That will be the question.

The Champions League knockout stages begin in mid-February.

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