The controversial repetition of the draw for the eighth of the Champions League made life much more difficult for Madrid than what had happened in the first place. The whites will have to measure themselves against PSG of Mbappé, Messi, Ramos and company. The reasons for the anger are obvious, after the first draw was Benfica. The difference between the Portuguese team and the Parisian is immense.
Atlético, meanwhile, will have to face Manchester United, while Villarreal will do the same against Juventus. In the first matches his rivals had been Bayern and City, respectively. The complication is similar, although in both cases they may feel favored in this draw compared to the previous one.
Madrid’s pairing with PSG has occurred on several occasions in recent years, almost always with the white team as the winner. Of course, this season will have a greater dimension with the presence of Mbappé, the great intended by Madrid. In addition, the return of Ramos to the Bernabéu after leaving as he left, the presence of Messi again in the white coliseum or the now Parisian Achraf and Keylor give the clash a great luster. The return, by the way, will be at the Bernabéu.
Also difficult
Atlético-United also have crumbs. The mattress team has conquered great temples in recent years in Europe and it lacks the icing on the cake of Old Trafford. However, he will meet his true black beast in the competition: Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese forward will be the threat of the rojiblancos again. In addition, the return of De Gea or the frustrated signing of Cavani by Atleti will ring again.
Villarreal, meanwhile, will have to overcome a tough bone gone downhill like Juventus. The yellow box will return to Italy, where they qualified for the round of 16 in Bergamo. It is a Juventus in a bad moment with Allegri, although between now and February things can change a lot.
The other round of 16 matches are Salzburg-Bayern, Sporting-Manchester City, Benfica-Ajax, Chelsea-Lille and Inter-Liverpool. The round of 16 matches will be played on February 15, 16, 22 and 23, in the first leg, and on March 8, 9, 15 and 16, in the second leg. Dfter this there will be another draw on March 18 between the qualifiers in which the quarter-finals and semi-finals will be drawn. All with the aim of reaching the grand final on May 28 in Saint Petersburg (Russia).