A
re-draw for the Champions League last 16 has pitted Manchester United
against Atletico Madrid after Ralf Rangnick’s side had initially been drawn
to face Paris Saint-Germain.
A surprise turn of events saw the initial last-16 draw declared void after
what UEFA called a "technical error" involving Atletico Madrid, Liverpool
and Manchester United.
The re-draw took place three hours later, and Liverpool now face Serie A
champions Inter Milan, Chelsea drew Ligue 1 winners Lille - having done so
in the first draw as well - while Manchester City will take on Sporting
Lisbon.
United looked to have been offered the biggest reprieve after drawing PSG in
the initial draw, but a meeting with Atletico in European competition since
1991 will still provide a stern test.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid will perhaps feel the most aggrieved by the error -
they were drawn against Benfica in the morning but will now face PSG
instead.
Elsewhere, Liverpool's reward for becoming the first English side to win all
six Champions League group games is a tie with Inter, who won Serie A last
season and currently top the table after 17 games.
It was a case of deja vu for defending champions Chelsea, who were drawn
against Lille in both the original and rescheduled draw.
City, last season's losing finalists, face Sporting for the first time since
the two sides met in the Europa League nine years ago.
Champions League last-16 draw
Salzburg vs Bayern Munich
Sporting Lisbon vs Manchester City
Benfica vs Ajax
Chelsea vs Lille
Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United
Villarreal vs Juventus
Inter Milan vs Liverpool
Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid
When are the last-16 ties?
The last-16 ties will be split across different weeks, with the first legs
taking place on February 15-16 and February 22-23.
The second legs are then on March 8-9 and March 15-16.
How UEFA's Man Utd gaffe prompted re-draw
The Champions League draw was conducted in Nyon by UEFA deputy general
secretary, Giorgio Marchetti, and UEFA head of club competitions, Michael
Heselschwerdt, with the help of special guest Andrey Arshavin.
Eight balls representing eight runners-up were in one bowl, while eight
group winners were in individual pots.
How original Champions League last-16 draw unfolded
Every winner was to be drawn against a runner-up from a different group and
football association.
Heselschwerdt confirmed that the draw process would see one runner-up drawn
from the runners-up pot. A computer would then indicate which winners could
be drawn against them. Balls containing the names of eligible opponents
would be placed together into another bowl, from which one eligible group
winner would be drawn and paired with the runner-up.
What was the original Champions League
last-16 draw?
Benfica vs Real Madrid
Villarreal vs Manchester City
Atletico Madrid vs Bayern Munich
Salzburg vs Liverpool
Inter Milan vs Ajax
Sporting Lisbon vs Juventus
Chelsea vs Lille
Paris Saint-Germain vs Manchester United
How the draw farce unfolded...
Draw starts: Benfica are the first team drawn from the runners-up pot - and
subsequently paired with Real Madrid.
Villarreal error: Villarreal are drawn from the runners-up pot as Marchetti
said: "Villarreal can be paired against all the other seven teams". Arshavin
draws Man Utd from the pot of eligible opponents, prompting Marchetti to
correct his earlier assertion and say: "This is not possible because Man Utd
were in the group so we need to do another one."
Apology: Arshavin instead draws Manchester City but Marchetti apologises for
"the technical issue that our draw is experiencing" as a delay occurs in
City's name appearing on screen as Villarreal's opponents.
Man Utd missing: Atletico are drawn from the runners-up pot as Marchetti
says: "The possibilities are all except Liverpool, who were in the same
group, and Manchester United; Manchester United have already been drawn."
Manchester United have not already been drawn but Heselschwerdt appears to
pick Liverpool and miss picking Man Utd when placing balls representing
Atletico's eligible opponents into the bowl. Arshavin draws Bayern to face
Atletico.
Draw concludes: The rest of the draw is concluded, with Liverpool drawn
against Salzburg and Man Utd eventually drawn against PSG.
Re-draw? The draw concludes but reports emerge of clubs immediately
questioning the draw. Sky Sports News contacts UEFA about the possibility of
a re-draw.
Draw void! UEFA admits 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" caused a "material error" and declares the draw void, to
be re-done later on Monday afternoon.
What are the key dates?
Last 16 first legs: February 15/16/22/23
Last 16 second legs: March 8/9/15/16
Quarter-final & semi-final draw: March 18
Quarter-final first legs: April 5/6
Quarter-final second legs: April 12/13
Semi-final first legs: April 26/27
Semi-final second legs: May 3/4
Final: May 28 - Gazprom Arena, Saint Petersburg
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