Tension, panic, excitement and a bit of controversy outlined the UEFA Champions League 2021-22 draw on Monday, December 13. Football fans all over the world were ecstatic when PSG were pitted against Manchester United and the very thought of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo going up against one other in potentially the last time ever in club football, arose and grabbed the headlines. Within some time, all of that was scrapped as the draw was entirely declared null and void due to a technical problem that interfered with the process. A fresh draw was done once again and fans finally got a clear and final picture of whom their favourite teams would go up against. PSG To Face Real Madrid, Manchester United on Collision Course With Atletico Madrid in UEFA Champions League 2021–22 Revised Round of 16 Draw (See Fixtures)
Two of most notable fixtures in the Round of 16 draw would be that of PSG vs Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United. Lionel Messi would return to Spain and against Real Madrid, a club against whom he has scored a lot of goals in a Barcelona shirt. He would be accompanied by Sergio Ramos, who left Bernabeu in the summer to join the former French champions. Meanwhile, David de Gea, would return to Wanda Metropolitano against Atletico Madrid, a club where he started off as a young keeper. Also, quite interestingly, defending champions Chelsea would take on Lille. The French champions were drawn with Thomas Tuchel's side in the first draw as well and this fixture remained intact in the second and revised one as well.
Let us take a look at the fixtures of this year's Round of 16 stage in the Champions League:
Date | Match | Venue | Time in IST |
February 15, 2022 | PSG vs Real Madrid | Parc Des Princes | TBD |
February 15, 2022 | Chelsea vs Lille | Stamford Bridge | TBD |
February 15, 2022 | RB Salzburg vs Bayern | Red Bull Arena | TBD |
February 15, 2022 | Inter vs Liverpool | San Siro | TBD |
February 15, 2022 | Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United | Wanda Metropolitano | TBD |
February 15, 2022 | Sporting CP vs Manchester City | Estadio Jose Alvalade | TBD |
February 15, 2022 | Villarreal vs Juventus | El Madrigal | TBD |
February 15, 2022 | Benfica vs Ajax | Estadio Da Luz | TBD |
March 8, 2022 | Manchester City vs Sporting CP | Etihad Stadium | TBD |
March 8, 2022 | Juventus vs Villarreal | Juventus Stadium | TBD |
March 8, 2022 | Bayern Munich vs RB Salzburg | Allianz Arena | TBD |
March 8, 2022 | Lille vs Chelsea | Stade Pierre-Mauroy | TBD |
March 8, 2022 | Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid | Old Trafford | TBD |
March 8, 2022 | Ajax vs Benfica | Amsterdam Arena | TBD |
March 8, 2022 | Liverpool vs Inter | Anfield | TBD |
March 8, 2022 | Real Madrid vs PSG | Santiago Bernabeu | TBD |
It has to be noted that all these fixtures along with their dates and venues are subject to change, according to UEFA's official website. The timings too are not yet out and this list is not a confirmed one. We would update you with the final list with confirmed venues, timings and dates once it is revealed officially. Till then, here's how the teams line up against each other.
With some exciting clash among some of Europe's best clubs in one of the biggest continental competitions in club football, the Round of 16 draw promises to be a mouth-watering one. It remains to be seen which teams emerge out of this stage and make it to the quarterfinals.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 13, 2021 11:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).