Real Madrid are set for a mouth-watering clash against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League Round of 16 after a re-draw was done following a “technical error”.
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.
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 13, 2021
The draw was initially completed at 11am, but there was some slight controversy after Manchester United were drawn to play Villarreal, however this outcome was impossible after the two clubs both qualified from Group F, meaning the La Liga side were then drawn to face Manchester City instead, with United taking on PSG.
Despite the error the rest of the draw was completed, but an hour after the completion of the ties being confirmed, Uefa released a statement saying the draw had been “declared void” and was set to be redone at 2pm.
Not only will the fixture between PSG and Real Madrid be packed full of action, it will also the return of Sergio Ramos with PSG to the club where he spent 16 years of his career.
Meanwhile, European Champions Chelsea will indeed face Lille after also being set to play them in the previous draw.
And the three other English clubs also discovered their first knockout round fate with United set to take on Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan to play Liverpool over two legs and Manchester City drawn to face Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon.
Round of 16 draw ✔️
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 13, 2021
Which tie are you most excited for?#UCLdraw | #UCL pic.twitter.com/QvZoT0yxqi
Elsewhere in the draw, Villareal are set to contest with Juventus for a spot in the last eight, while Ajax will be hoping to make another run amongst Europe’s elite but they will have to get beyond Benfica, and heavy favourites Bayern Munich will do battle with Austrian champions RB Salzburg.
In the Europa League’s notable match-ups, Rangers will take on Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona are in store for a cracking clash with Napoli while Europa League stalwarts Sevilla collide with Dynamo Zagreb.
The remaining ties are as follows: Atalanta vs Olympiakos, RB Leipzig vs Real Sociedad, Zenit St Petersburg vs Real Betis, Sheriff Tiraspol vs SC Braga and Porto vs Lazio.
For the Champions League ties, the first legs are scheduled for 15/16/22/23 February, with the second legs on 8/9/15/16 March.
While the Europa League’s first leg Round of 32 games will be contested on 17 February with the second legs played 24 February.
