LEAD: Italy-England teams clash, Barca face Leverkusen in CL draw

Dec 16, 2011, 12:04 GMT

Nyon, Switzerland - Serie A and Premier League clubs will clash in the last 16 of the Champions League while holders Barcelona come up against Germany's Bayer Leverkusen in the draw Friday.

Napoli, who overcame Manchester City in the group stage, are drawn against Chelsea, while fellow Londoners Arsenal face AC Milan.

Arsenal, who went out to Barcelona at the same stage last season, have another tough last-16 task against seven-time European champions Milan.

For Milan meanwhile it is another last-16 trip to north London after they were eliminated by Tottenham Hotspur last season.

'It's probably the pick of the round,' said Arsenal club secretary David Miles.

'They'll be two fantastic games. If I'm being honest, there are some other teams I would have preferred. Last time we played them in season 07-08, we actually went through after winning 2-0 in the San Siro so our recent history against them is good.'

AC Milan director Umberto Gandini said it was 'tie of the round.'

He added: 'For the quality and the appeal of the two clubs it is a fantastic tie. Last time we lost 2-0 to Arsenal at the San Siro and we were knocked out by Tottenham last year.

'We are determined to go through. Last year we had lots of injuries but right now we are in a better status than Arsenal. But lots can change in two months. They have a great player in Robin van Persie and Arsene Wenger is a great coach.'

Chelsea club secretary David Barnard said of the meeting with Napoli: 'It will be difficult. It will be some occasion and it will be a lot warmer than playing a Russian team so it will be a new experience for this club. The feeling is upbeat.'

While Barcelona have a first-leg trip to Leverkusen, while domestic rivals Real Madrid, who won all six of their group games, must travel to CSKA Moscow.

Leverkusen sports director Rudi Voeller said the tie against Barcelona was 'an absolute highlight for our young players and the fans.'

He added: 'We are the rank outsiders. We have nothing to lose, and the pressure on us is going to be very small. If we can play at our best over two matches and Barcelona have an off day then there is perhaps a small chance.'

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich come up against Basel, who left last season's losing finalists Manchester United behind in the group stage, while Italy's third representative Inter Milan, the 2010 Champions League winners, are up against Olympique Marseille.

Former Bayern great Paul Breitner pulled his club's name out of the pot for the meeting with Basel, coached by Heiko Vogel, who spent nine years as a Bayern youth coach and helped nurture players such as current Bayern internationals Philipp Lahm and Thomas Mueller.

Four-time European champions Bayern met Basel in the group stage last season, winning 2-1 in Switzerland and 3-0 in Munich.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told Bayern TV that with the final in Munich on May 19 the team needed no extra motivation.

'It's clear that we are the favourites. If the team keeps its concentration and really goes to work there is a good chance of reaching the quarter-finals,' he said.

In other ties draw at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, Olympique Lyon face surprise package APOEL Nicosia and Zenit St Petersburg meet Benfica.

Matches are to be played February 14/15 and 21/22 and March 6/7 and 13/14.