(Paris) Real Madrid will see Kylian Mbappé, of which he dreams, since he will face Paris Saint-Germain in 8e Champions League final, according to the draw completely redone after an error, Monday in Nyon.
Inter Milan-Liverpool and Manchester United-Atlético Madrid are the other posters of these 8e of the final, whose first leg matches will take place in the second group on February 15, 16, 22 or 23, and the return leg on March 8, 9, 15 or 16.
Real preferred the first draw, which saw him face Benfica Lisbon.
But two real hiccups caused by a “technical problem with the software of one of the external service providers”, according to UEFA, sowed doubt on the validity of the procedure, causing a long and unprecedented hesitation at the end of which the European body ruled in favor of canceling the draw.
The first mistake came when Villarreal shot Manchester United, when the English club were not to be among their potential opponents, as regulations prevent two opponents from the same pool from ending up in 8e final.
Messi-Ronaldo reunion postponed
The images also show that the Manchester United ball was forgotten when forming the bowl of potential opponents Atlético Madrid, when the “Colchoneros” inherited Bayern Munich as their opponent.
The embarrassment on stage of UEFA’s deputy secretary general, traditionally responsible for hosting European cup draws, was visible at the time of the confusion.
On social networks, negative, mocking, or outraged reactions were quick, then Atlético Madrid explained to AFP that they had officially requested an explanation from the government of European football. And everything had to be redone.
PSG initially had to face Manchester United, in a new episode of the rivalry between Lionel Messi (PSG) and Cristiano Ronaldo (MU).
This duel is replaced by a clash between the two scorers of the France team, Kylian Mbappé (PSG) and Karim Benzema (Real). The first, who did not hide his temptation to join the “White House” this summer, will be able to show all his genius at the Santiago-Bernabeu stadium.
Two venerable European houses will meet, Benfica Lisbon and Ajax Amsterdam. Johann Cruyff’s red and white tornado won this matchup in the 1972 Champions Cup semi-final (1-0 / 0-0).
Chelsea-Lille twice
The Dutch club, with six victories in six group matches, like Bayern Munich and Liverpool, will start as favorite.
Messi’s fault, Cristiano Ronaldo will come up against Atlético Madrid, an opponent he has often martyred when he played for Real Madrid, since Manchester United faces the Spanish champion Diego Simeone and Antoine Griezmann.
Villarreal, Europa League holder, inherits Juventus Turin, and Chelsea, defending champion, will come up against French champion Lille, the only poster released twice, in the first draw invalidated, then in the second.
Among the other big favorites, Bayern Munich will play a mini-derby against RB Salzburg, a city 150 km away, on the other side of the German-Austrian border.
Finally the hand of the leader of Russia at Euro-2008, Andrey Arshavin, the star operating the draw, sent Manchester City to Lisbon to meet Sporting Portugal.
Before the new draw, the coach of the “Citizens”, Pep Guardiola, considered “fair” the decision to resume operations from zero. “It was a mistake but things like that can happen. If there is an error, it must be redone so that it does not arouse suspicion ”.