Chelsea Champions League draw provides Atletico Madrid test… and Diego Costa reunion

Chelsea have been handed a daunting draw against Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Frank Lampard’s side finished top of their group to qualify for the knockout stages – but will come up against Diego Simeone’s Atletico, who eliminated Liverpool from last season’s competition.

Chelsea will travel to the Spanish capital for the first leg in February, before returning to Stamford Bridge to complete the tie in March.

First legs will be played across February 16,17,23 and 24, with the second legs scheduled for March 9, 10, 16 and 17.

It is a huge task for Lampard’s team, who were outstanding in the group stages when securing qualification with two games to spare.

Securing top spot meant they avoided the giants of Europe like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain

Atletico are joint top of La Liga and the tie throws up a reunion with former Chelsea striker Diego Costa, who joined Atletico for £57million in 2017 after an acrimonious end to his Stamford Bridge career.