The much anticipated face-off between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo was not to be as UEFA redraws rounds of 16
By Kehinde Okeowo
The UCL draw suffered an administrative hitch when United were initially drawn against Villarreal, whom they were ineligible to face because they emerged from the same group.
A “technical problem” caused an error in the initial draw, causing UEFA to void it and order a new one.
UEFA in a statement said: “Following a technical problem with the software of an external service provider that instructs the officials as to which teams are eligible to play each other, a material error occurred in the draw for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
“As a result of this, the draw has been declared void and will be entirely redone.”
They initially pitted United against French giant, Paris St-Germain, in what would have been a mouthwatering encounter that would have seen Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi play against each other.
Defending champion Chelsea were to face reigning Ligue 1 champions Lille, while the most successful English team in the competition, Liverpool, were to come up against Red Bull Salzburg.
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Premier League leader and champion, Manchester City would have clashed with the Spanish side and last season’s Europa League winners Villarreal.
Other fixtures would have seen Benfica host Real Madrid, La Liga champion, Atletico Madrid face German champion, Bayern Munich, Italian champion, Inter Milan clash with Dutch champion, Ajax, while Sporting Lisbon would have entertained Juventus.
However, the new draw pitted holders Chelsea against French side Lille, Premier League champions Manchester City face Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon while six-time winners Liverpool play Inter Milan.
Manchester United face Spanish champions Atletico Madrid, 13-time champions Real Madrid come up against French powerhouse Paris St-Germain.
In the remaining encounters, Red Bull Salzburg play Bayern Munich, Benfica clash with Ajax, Villarreal host Juventus
The first legs of the encounters will be spread out on 15, 16, 22, and 23 February, with the return legs on 8, 9, 15, and 16 March, while this season’s final takes place in St Petersburg, Russia, on 28 May.
The away goal rule will no longer apply from this season’s edition. Therefore, ties level after 180 minutes will go to extra time, and If the teams still cannot be separated after, then it goes to a penalty shootout.
Below is the latest Champions League draw:
Red Bull Salzburg v Bayern Munich
Sporting Lisbon v Manchester City
Benfica v Ajax
Chelsea v Lille
Atletico Madrid v Manchester United
Villarreal v Juventus
Inter Milan v Liverpool
PSG v Real Madrid
