The draws for the knockout rounds of the Champions League and the Europa League were made on Monday and seven Spanish clubs were involved. 

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid all topped their Champions League groups but Sevilla and Valencia could only manage third in theirs which saw them drop into the Europa League. Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao both made it through their respective Europa League groups and join Sevilla and Valencia in the last 32.

Real Madrid were the first team out of the hat and will take on Roma who reached the last 16 by finishing second in their group behind Barcelona. Rudi Garcia's side have been inconsistent this season and Rafa Benitez's team will be strong favourites to overcome the Giallorossi

Defending champions Barcelona face a repeat of their 2011 last 16 clash with Arsenal. Barca recovered from a first leg loss to beat Arsene Wenger's side on that occasion and it would be a huge surprise if Barca don't progress again this year. 

Finally, 2014 finalists Atletico Madrid were paired with last season's Eriedivisie champions, PSV Eindhoven. PSV picked up four points from their two games against Manchester United and that proved to be the difference as they reached the last 16 ahead of Louis van Gaal's team. 

Valencia and Sevilla drop into the Europa League 

In the Europa League, Valencia were paired with Rapid Vienna who beat Villarreal in Austria on their way to topping their group. 

Gary Neville pictured after Valencia crashed out of the Champions League (photo: getty)

Sevilla, who also dropped out of the Champions League, will attempt to win a third successive Europa League and their defence will begin against Molde. The Norwegian's have been superb this season and finished ahead of Fenerbahce, Ajax and Celtic to top their group. 

Athletic Bilbao topped their Europa League group but face a mouthwatering meeting with Marseille in what looks like one of the ties of the round. 

As good as Athletic - Marseille promises to be it is surely topped by what is a fantastic meeting between Villarreal and Napoli. Both sides have the quality to reach the latter stages of the competition but the luck of the draw means one will bow out in the opening knock out round. 

So far all seven Spanish clubs who started the season in Europe have managed to negotiaite a path to European football after Christmas but the standard will go up greatly in the new year and the clubs will have to be at their best if they are to make further headway as the season progresses. 

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About the author
Gerry Johnston
Cover Spanish and Italian football for VAVEL UK.