Sports

Real Madrid to face PSG following Champions League redraw

(Update 2: Adds new fixtures)

Sports Desk, Dec 13 (EFE).- Lionel Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain are on a collision course with Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid in the Uefa Champions League Round of 16 following a draw that had to be repeated due to an administrative error.

Earlier in the day, Real Madrid had penciled in a date with Benfica before the initial draw was voided due to a mix-up with the balls, which meant the final fixtures were unfairly sorted.

With the new fixtures in place, Carlo Ancelotti’s men will have to prepare a game plan that will nullify the threat posed by the likes of Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar Jr in mid-February should they wish to make it further than they did in last year’s competition.

Manchester United will now take on Atlético de Madrid in the knockout stage, bringing a familiar foe in tow in the form of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Bayern Munich are set for a trip across the border for a duel with RB Salzburg while Benfica saw their Round of 16 rivals change from Real Madrid to Ajax in the redraw.

Defending champions Chelsea will play Ligue 1 side Lille while Liverpool travel back to the San Siro for a date with Inter Milan.

Last year’s Champions League runners-up Manchester City were redrawn to play Spanish side Villarreal, reigning Europa League champions.

The new fixtures correct a mix-up that occurred during an initial draw earlier on Monday that sparked protests from clubs.

In a statement, Uefa blamed the issues on a “technical problem with the software of an external service provider.

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