Chelsea handed draw of fate in Champions League Round of 16

Having secured our passage into the knockout rounds from the group stages once again, part of Chelsea's attentions this morning (mostly occupied by our match tonight away to Leicester City) turned to UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.  There, Gianni Infantino, UEFA secretary general, and Javier Zanetti, Inter Milan legend and vice-president (and Champions League "ambassador"), conducted the draw for the Round of 16.

Chelsea didn't have to wait too long to get drawn; we were the third name drawn out of the top seeds hat.  Or bowl, as it were.  And we will get to face, rather unbelievably, Paris Saint-Germain again!  Just like last season.  And the season before (albeit that was a round later).

The draw in full:

KAA Gent vs. Wolfsburg
AS Roma vs. Real Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain vs. CHELSEA
Arsenal vs. Barcelona
Juventus vs. Bayern Munich
PSV Eindhoven vs. Atlético Madrid
Benfica vs. Zenit St. Petersburg
Dynamo Kiev vs. Manchester City

The first leg will take place at the end of February (either 16, 17, 23, or 24 — exact date to be determined in the next couple hours), with Chelsea playing away first as all top seeds from the group stage will.

We fell at this hurdle, this exact hurdle last season; let's do better this year.

UPDATE: Chelsea to play on February 16.

CONFIRMED: The round of 16 schedule... #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/UZfaYXV8vu

— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 14, 2015