Champions League draw replay: fixtures for knockout stage
Champions League & Europa League knockout fixtures
Champions League last 16 drama
There were two Champions League round of 16 draws in Nyon today! The first one took place with several pots of balls on the stage. The balls with the teams' names on them were then withdrawn from the pots and added to a central pot. This happens as seeded teams can only play unseeded teams. No club is permitted to face another club from the same national association and clubs were not permitted to face opponents they previously met during the group stage.
When Manchester United were drawn against Villarreal, a side they had already played against in Group F, many became concerned. The tie was redrawn, with Manchester City then picked out to face Villarreal. For reasons still unknown, United were not in the pot of potential opponents for Atlético Madrid, who were drawn to play Bayern Munich. Liverpool were then placed in the pot, despite the Premier League side playing Atlético in the group stage.
UEFA's deputy general secretary Giorgio Marchetti then explained: "For Atlético Madrid, the possibility are all [teams] except for Liverpool, who was in the same group, and Manchester United as they were already drawn."
Manchester United's drawing was a mistake as they should still have been potential opponents for Atlético. United were then picked out to face Paris Saint-Germain. UEFA then confirmed the Champions League last 16 would have to be re-done after a technical error with the initial procedure. At 09:00 ET, the second draw of the day took place and produced the eight fixtures below.
Full Champions League round of 16 draw
Salzburg vs Bayern Munich
Sporting CP vs Manchester City
Benfica vs Ajax
Chelsea vs Lille
Atlético Madrid vs Manchester United
Villarreal vs Juventus
Inter Milan vs Liverpool
Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid
More information
Read our related articles below for more info:
It's been a long stint on this infamous day that UEFA will want to forget in a hurry after an admin. blunder forced the Champions League draw for the Round of 16 of the competition to be drawn twice !
If UEFA draws are your thing, then tune in next Thursday, as once again the Nyon HQ will host the draw for the 2022-23 Nations League groups.... 55 balls, a myriad of pots and various league paths...what could possibly go wrong !
Cheers for tuning in today and stay with AS for all the best sports news around !
Pep on UCL draw blunder
The Man City coach offered his thoughts after an admin slip-up saw the Round of 16 draw having to be made twice.
Real Madrid vs PSG
Real Madrid continue to tag PSG in their Twitter posts as they look forward to their last 16 clashes with the Ligue 1 side in February and March.
Kroos: PSG most difficult draw
Speaking after the Champions League draw on Monday, Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos discussed Real Madrid's tie with PSG.
"Very interesting opponent for the next round. I think it's the toughest [opponent] we could have had," Kroos said.
Where will the final of the 21/22 Champions League be held? Stadium and city
In a meeting staged in September 2019, UEFA initially announced that Saint Petersburg's Gazprom Arena, Munich's Allianz Arena and London's Wembley would be the Champions League final venues from 2021 to 2023.
The covid pandemic put that proposal on the back-burner as the 2020 final that was originally scheduled to be staged in Istanbul was moved to Lisbon with UEFA organizing the final stage of the competition in a special bubble edition in the Portuguese capital after the pandemic played havoc with domestic and continental football schedules.
Champions League last 16 fixture dates
The first legs are to be played on 15/16/22/23 February 2022, while the second legs are scheduled for 8/9/15/16 March 2022.
Ronaldo & Messi avoid each other this time
Manchester United had originally been drawn against PSG in the first draw of the day, a tie that had everyone talking about Ronaldo vs Messi.
UEFA was forced to declare an initial Champions League last 16 draw void after a series of mistakes were made during the process on Monday.
In the second draw of the day, United were drawn against Atlético Madrid, meaning Ronaldo and Messi will not go head to head in the last 16.
Messi to face Real Madrid again
Lionel Messi has played against Real Madrid more than any other team in his career (45 games).
Cristiano Ronaldo has quite the record vs Atlético
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo has a superb record against Atlético Madrid from his time with Real Madrid.
In 35 games: 25 goals, 16 wins, 2 Champions League final wins & 4 hat-tricks.
Will the Portuguese star be able to produce the goods once again and inspire United to book a place in the quarter-finals?
Mbappé vs Real Madrid
Although he is still a PSG player, many are predicting a Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid move next summer. Only time will tell but before then he will have the chance to display his talent against his long-term admirers over two legs in Paris and Madrid as the sides face off in the round of 16.
First draw vs second draw
First draw fixtures:
Benfica vs Real Madrid
Villarreal vs Manchester City
Atlético Madrid vs Bayern Munich
Salzburg vs Liverpool
Inter Milan vs Ajax
Sporting CP vs Juventus
Chelsea vs Lille
PSG vs Manchester United
Second (final) draw fixtures:
Salzburg vs Bayern Munich
Sporting CP vs Manchester City
Benfica vs Ajax
Chelsea vs Lille
Atlético Madrid vs Manchester United
Villarreal vs Juventus
Inter Milan vs Liverpool
PSG vs Real Madrid
Change of plans...
Real Madrid were headed back to Lisbon, a beautiful city that they have fond memories of. Now, they will be flying to Paris instead to face Ramos and Messi.
De Gea returns to Atlético
David de Gea will face his old club when Manchester United take on Atlético Madrid in one of the tastier last 16 ties.
What a difference an hour makes!
Earlier today: Atlético Madrid in talks with UEFA over last 16 draw issues
Now: Atlético Madrid tweet about facing Man United in Champions League
Champions League knockout stage schedule: when is the round of 16?
Many of Europe's top clubs have booked their place in the next round of the Champions League. We take a look at when they will go head-to-head in the last 16.
Ramos returns to Bernabéu
Real Madrid vs PSG will see the return of club legend Sergio Ramos to the Spanish capital. Ramos hasn't had a successful start to life in Paris due to consistent injuries but he may be ready to rock come February/March time.
Benfica play Ajax
Benfica will be slightly relieved there was a second draw! They had the daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabéu originally but this time it's going to be Ajax who they face. The Dutch giants will be no pushover, however.
Man City vs Sporting CP
Guardiola's outfit had drawn Europa League winners Villarreal earlier today and now face Sporting CP instead.
Round of 16 draw
The first legs are to be played on 15/16/22/23 February 2022, while the second legs are scheduled for 8/9/15/16 March 2022.
PSG vs Real Madrid
The pick of the round has to be PSG vs Real Madrid. Los Blancos had drawn Benfica earlier today and now they will have to face Messi, Mbappé & Neymar.
And there we have it, for the second time today, we have the eight Champions League fixtures for the round of 16.
Champions League round of 16 draw in full
Paris Saint-Germain-Real Madrid
RB Salzburg- Bayern Munich
Sporting CP-Manchester City
Benfica-Ajax
Chelsea-Lille
Atlético Madrid-Manchester United
Villarreal-Juventus
Inter-Liverpool
PSG vs Real Madrid
Inter Milan vs Liverpool
Next last 16 match is: Villarreal vs Juventus!
Atleti will be much happier with this one...
Atlético Madrid will face Manchester United!
Next out is Atlético Madrid!
Chelsea vs Lille (again)
Benfica vs Ajax
Next up we have Benfica!
It's Sporting CP vs Manchester City!
Sporting CP are next out!
FC Salzburg will play Bayern Munich!
... To the delight of Atlético Madrid
16 teams in!
We start again!
The first team drawn is FC Salzbug...
UEFA draw official Giorgio Marchetti has apologised for the mistakes earlier today.
Hello and welcome! (again)
Are you still excited about this draw? Some clubs will be delighted to get a second crack of the whip!
Since UEFA get to do it all from scratch, we're going to give you a fresh feel too (we care you see!)
Thanks for being with me all morning. I'll now hand over to Kieran who will give you the real draw and all the reaction / conspiracy theories that follow. Enjoy!
Smooth criminals
Some people are calling this situation 'criminal' (that's the reason for the above title and nothing to do with anything else to do with the organisation!)
One thing we can expect this time around, unless we're really unlucky, is that there will be no video montages and long speeches. It should be swirl, hand in, ball out, open, done.
Let's see...
USA UCL lovers in luck
Are you just waking up in the United States?
Were you disappointed that UEFA decided to make their Champions League draw at noon European time?
Are you now utterly delighted that they* messed it up and you get to watch the valid one live?
Stay with us and let's see who gets who. We're just a few minutes away...
*the software of an external service provider, adds our lawyer!
Guardiola has his say on redraw
Manchester City drew Villarreal immediately after the balls-up had been identified. The Spanish side are by no means a pushover but fans of the Premier League champions would have been pretty pleased, given the alternatives.
City boss Pep Guardiola, however, has taken the decision to redraw the pairing on the chin.
"I think it's fair," he said. "If there's a mistake, you have to repeat it, so it's not suspicious."
UEFA club rankings
This is how UEFA has the top clubs currently ranked in terms of coefficient, Bayern leading the way, followed by three Premier League outfits.
The club coefficients are based on the results of clubs competing in the five previous seasons of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League. The rankings determine the seeding of each club in relevant UEFA competition draws.
The season club coefficients are based on the results of clubs competing in the current UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League season. The rankings, combined with those of the previous four seasons, determine the seeding for each club in all UEFA competition draws.
Find out more if you are so inclined.
Champions League draw: take two
OK, clean slate. If you missed our build-up first time around then scroll down to the bottom of this blog (just ignore the actual original draw!)
Here is a reminder of the teams awaiting their pairings split into two seeded groups:
Group winners
Ajax (NED), Bayern Munich (GER), Juventus (ITA), Lille (FRA), Liverpool (ENG), Manchester City (ENG), Manchester United (ENG), Real Madrid (ESP)
Group runners-up
Atlético Madrid (ESP), Benfica (POR), Chelsea (ENG), Inter Milan (ITA), Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), RB Salzburg (AUT), Sporting CP (POR), Villarreal (ESP)
Who do you want this time?
Think of us poor journos
You've prepared your notes for all the teams and considered some of the permutations. You watch as the balls are pulled out of the pots and opened, immediately throwing your notes together into something decipherable.
As the draw concludes, you tidy everything up, give it a quick once over and publish.
Shortly after you despair as you have to go through it all again.
Confirmed: UCL draw to be redone
"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 at 1500 CET."
Atlético seeking solution
Here is at least some confirmation that talks are ongoing in the background.
Back to UCL redraw decision
Although we are still awaiting confirmation, reports are coming in that a redraw is very likely.
What could that mean for the clubs that came out before the error i.e. Benfica and Real Madrid? (I'd suggest one of those sides would be happy to take their chances again!)
Europa League Round of 16: fixtures
Some tasty ties in there...
The draw is brought to an with some festive well wishes from Pedro Pinto and we are done... or are we?!
And the final pairing is Porto vs Lazio.
Sheriff are going up against Braga
Dortmund vs Rangers. Another brilliant tie with two stadiums capable of utterly tremendous atmospheres on European nights.
Zenit will play against...Real Betis
Barcelona are up next. And they get...Napoli! Think we have the draw of the round there.
Leipzig will face Real Sociedad
Atalanta next up... against Olympiacos
First out, Sevilla, incredible! And they'll play...Dinamo Zagreb.
OK, time for the draw...
Michael Heselschwerdt joins us again for the important procedural information.
He once again explains that teams can't be drawn against one from their group stage. Let's hope there's not another balls up when it comes to that!
(FYI UEFA reportedly still discussing potential redraw for Champions League)
Spaniard Andrés Palop has been brought onto the stage and is answering questions from Pinto.
There's a lovely chemistry between them as the Portuguese journalist asks questions in English, the reply is in Spanish, and he turns that back into English for those watching. Good translation too! Almost like it's scripted.
Giorgio Marchetti is back in place, giving his own introductions to the Europa clubs. Multi-winning Sevilla given a special mention, not only for their success in this tournament but also because their beautiful city will play host to the final.
Europa League draw: clubs
A reminder of those teams:
Seeded
Betis (ESP)
Braga (POR)
Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)
Lazio (ITA)
Napoli (ITA)
Olympiacos (GRE)
Rangers (SCO)
Real Sociedad (ESP)
Unseeded teams
Atalanta (ITA)
Barcelona (ESP)
Dortmund (GER)
Leipzig (GER)
Porto (POR)
Sevilla (ESP)
Sheriff (MDA)
Zenit (RUS)
Pedro Pinto is giving us a nice introduction with a few tidbits of historical info, and now the customary video compilation of all the teams involved.
It's Europa League time
Our focus has been on the UCL draw drama but let's now turn to the Europa League draw. Some huge clubs in here...
Colours matter
From a scan of social media it feels, unsurprisingly, that most people's view on whether the draw should be redone depends on the colour of their scarf.
Bayern against Atlético and PSG against Man Utd are, on paper, the toughest fixtures, and their fans seem keener to get another go at the pots.
UEFA response needed
Apologies if you were hoping for me to to a review of each of the ties but I'm holding off until we have confirmation that this draw will stand.
The Europa League draw is expected at 1 pm CET (7 am ET, 4 am PT, noon GMT) so let's see if anything is said in the coming minutes.
Doubts over draw
With that error in the draw (when United was incorrectly pulled out against Villarreal) some are suggesting that the draw may be redone.
Miguel suggests the desire at UEFA Is low, it would be a terrible look, but there are noises being made that it could be redone.
Benfica vs Real Madrid
The Portuguese side came through the group stage at the expense of Barcelona and they have another chance to see the end of a Spanish giant.
Carlo Ancelotti, however, has Los Blancos flying and is the manager who steered Madrid to 'La Décima' - their tenth title - in 2014. He is one of just three coaches to have won the European Cup/Champions League on three occasions.
Champions League Round of 16 line-up
Let's have a look back over all eight ties... and see what reactions are doing the rounds...
Let's have a look back over all eight ties... and see what reactions are doing the rounds...
So the last two balls out for the draw were PSG and Man Utd.
I'm not one for a conspiracy but can we check Arshavin's hands for burn marks?
Which leaves...oh my!
PSG vs Manchester United: Messi vs Ronaldo
Reigning champions Chelsea are going up against Lille.
Sporting CP get...Juventus
Inter Milan pop out, and they will battle it out with Ajax.
Austrian's first side into the knockout phase, Salzburg will go up against six-time winners, Liverpool.
Atlético Madrid come out next and their opponents will be...Bayern Munich. Boom!!
Villarreal next out. The Yellow Submarine will target Manchester United... wait a minute! They played in the group!!!
Villarreal will instead play, ahem, Manchester City
It's Benfica! And they will play... Real Madrid
Right, I think we're ready. Marchetti repeats the names of the clubs in each seeded group... then mixes the balls.
Who's first out?
Pleasantries with Arshavin come to an end and Michael Heselschwerdt, Head of Club Competitions at UEFA, steps onto the stage to go through the plucking ball procedures ahead of the draw.
Scroll down in my blog if you want more on that, or stay up here and I'll just tell you who gets who.
Arshavin is welcomed onto the stage, a St Petersburg legend, born and bred, so the perfect former player given where the final is going to be played.
Salzburg get a special mention for qualifying for the UCL knockout stages for the first time in their history. Disappointingly, Marchetti avoids any 'wing' puns.
Marchetti giving us a bit of a history lesson here with big shout-outs for the likes of Iker Casillas, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski and even, Marco van Basten - still my favourite goal!
It wouldn't be a UEFA draw without Giorgio Marchetti...and here he is to explain the rules and more.
Champions League: the last 16 clubs
A reminder of those teams:
Group winners
Ajax (NED), Bayern Munich (GER), Juventus (ITA), Lille (FRA), Liverpool (ENG), Manchester City (ENG), Manchester United (ENG), Real Madrid (ESP)
Group runners-up
Atlético Madrid (ESP), Benfica (POR), Chelsea (ENG), Inter Milan (ITA), Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), RB Salzburg (AUT), Sporting CP (POR), Villarreal (ESP)
UCL draw: it's time
Portuguese journalist Pedro Pinto welcomes everyone, those with him and those watching from afar.
Now we get a wonderful video montage of those teams that are involved.
So many good goals!
It's almost time...
The stage is, literally, set. The Champions League pots are in position. The dignitaries, and others, are getting to their seats.
Are you ready? What huge ties could we be in store for early next year. We are but minutes away...
Arshavin ready!
Amiable Arsenal ancestor Andrey Arshavin already anxious at another anticipated arrangement...
OK. Sorry, I'm getting excited and when I do, I feel the need for some word play. I'll try and control myself!
Goal of the Champions League Group Stage
Have you already voted? If not, there's still time.
Bayern's Lewandowski, PSG's Messi and Liverpool's Thiago are among the nominees.
Don't worry Xavi, you're still involved
...just a bit later!
Yes, although our focus is firmly on the continent's elite sides, UEFA's secondary competition knockout stage is also being decided today. The Europa League will follow shortly after the UCL equivalent and we'll keep you across what's happening.
So, stay with us Señor Hernández.
Where is Barcelona?
If you've not been following the goings on at FC Barcelona you may not have noticed that they are, for the first time in almost two decades, not in the draw for the last 16 teams.
Finishing third in a group that contained Bayern Munich, Benfica and Dinamo Kiev, they overly struggled in a period of their history that will simply be known as PM (Post Messi).
Champions League ball
Following on from the stadium venue for the final, UEFA has explained that the 'white nights' of summer in Saint Petersburg have inspired Adidas's design for the UEFA Champions League ball that will feature in the final in Russia’s 'northern capital'.
It was unveiled as the official match ball for the knockout phase of the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League, with the design inspired by the summer 'white nights' in the final venue, Saint Petersburg.
UEFA continues that "between May and July, the sun does not set in Russia's 'northern capital', but if the stars will be invisible on 28 May – the night of the final at the Gazprom Arena – they will be all over the pitch as two sides compete to win the biggest prize in world club football."
The new ball features a "thermally-bonded construction, solid PU surface material, a rhombus carcass and a high-grade butyl bladder."
And a replica is no doubt yours for a pretty penny in your local or online sports store.
Where is the UCL final 2021/22?
OK, so you're already dreaming of your team navigating their way past three more opponents to reach the Champions League final. But where will they be headed then?
The 2022 showpiece will be staged at Zenit's 68,000-capacity Gazprom Arena, making it the second time Russia has hosted a Champions League final following the 2008 clash between Manchester United and Chelsea at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
National pride in UCL
As per the list further below, various European nations are being represented, with some of the expected big hitters in place.
England's powerful Premier League has ensured all four of its clubs are in the draw (three as group winners), while Spain contribute three sides to today's proceedings, the one missing out, the not-so-mighty Barcelona.
We have two clubs each from France, Italy and Portugal and a single representative from Germany (!), the Netherlands and Austria.
United tease CR7 reunion
Over in Manchester, the United social media team are totally not being condescending to Sporting CP (not Sporting Lisbon, please).
It would certainly be a nice return trip for Cristiano Ronaldo, who has said that he would like to end his career at the club where it all began.
Juve fans! Who do you want?
The famous Old Lady is not at her most glorious right now, currently lying in Italy with five on top of her.
But as we've seen many times in the past, the gap between now and the February/March is enough that fortunes can change. With Allegri pulling the strings again, and potential for transfers in a few weeks, don't be surprised if she is back as one of the real dangers come game time.
Rule change: away-goals no more
Remember those times when your team was ahead by one on aggregate but you were worried sick because you knew that conceding a single goal in the final few minutes would not bring the opposition level... but actually take them through as 'winners on away goals'?
Well that won't happen again!
For the first time since the 1966/67 season, the away-goals rule will not be used in European Cup knockout ties, following UEFA’s announcement in June that it was scrapping the law in all its club competitions.
If a tie is level at the end of the second leg, it will go to extra time, regardless of how many away goals each team has scored. If the sides still can’t be separated after the additional half hour, a penalty shoot-out will decide the winners.
Quiz time: UCL Rounds of 16 from the past
Are you a Champions League nut? Do you remember who drew who and when?
If so, this Round of 16 set of questions from UEFA may be a breeze for you. Good luck!
A draw like no other
I mentioned draw excitement earlier but no matter how obliging our UEFA delegates and esteemed guests are today, we are not expecting them to entertain us quite like Rod Stewart did a few years back.
The pop legend had fans in tears with his theatrical and downright eccentric behaviour during the Scottish Cup draw, some questioning whether a local whisky or six may have aided his mood.
Today may be simpler, but the elite team combinations should be fun enough.
Who could your team draw?
The odds statisticians have been crunching the numbers as usual and here are the probabilities associated with each of the clubs drawing one another.
(Spoiler alert: I remember last year's didn't go anywhere close to this!)
When will the Round of 16 ties be played?
OK, the good news is that you've got plenty of time to prepare. The bad news is that flights and hotel prices are going to be going up as soon as the draw is made so you'll have to be quick off the mark if you're to sort things out. (And Omicron may have a word to say on next year's planning too!)
Anyway, the first legs are to be played on 15/16/22/23 February 2022, while the second legs are scheduled for 8/9/15/16 March 2022.
Get. It. In. The. Diary.
How will the draw work?
The good thing about this stage of the draw, certainly compared to the group one, is that it's all rather simple, with just a couple of things to bear in mind.
The bottom line is that each group winner will be paired with a group runner-up.
The exceptions to that are that clubs cannot be drawn together if they are from the same country or played each other in the Group Stage.
Draw excitement
Some people, non-football fans, I should add, have asked me why there is such an intense excitement around the drawing of names out of pots. Well, if you are reading this then there is little need for me to explain.
As you can see from the example below, the draw also gives the artistic few among us to get a little creative.
UCL Round of 16 draw: the teams
Let's have a quick review of the teams involved, as usual, split into two seeded groups:
Group winners
Ajax (NED), Bayern Munich (GER), Juventus (ITA), Lille (FRA), Liverpool (ENG), Manchester City (ENG), Manchester United (ENG), Real Madrid (ESP)
Group runners-up
Atlético Madrid (ESP), Benfica (POR), Chelsea (ENG), Inter Milan (ITA), Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), RB Salzburg (AUT), Sporting CP (POR), Villarreal (ESP)
Who do you want?
Champions League Round of 16 draw: times, teams, how to watch, stream online
The ceremony at UEFA's Nyon offices in Switzerland will commence at 12 noon CET local time. That's 6 am Eastern Time, 3 am Pacific Time and 11 am in the UK.
Click on the image above and you'll be magically taken to our handy little guide to times and viewing options wherever you are in the world.
Champions League Round of 16 draw: welcome
Hello and a very warm welcome to our live coverage of the highly anticipated 2021/22 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw.
We've come through an exciting group stage but today is where players, managers and fans alike find out who their team will meet as they take the first step into the business end of UEFA's showpiece club tournament.
Stay with me and I'll bring you all the build-up to the draw, the ball plucking as it happens and all the reaction that follows...