After the group stage ended last week, the Round of 16 draw took place today at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. The teams which qualified for the UEFA Champions League knockout stage are:
Group winners: Manchester City, Liverpool, Ajax, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Juventus, Lille.
Runners-up: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Sporting Club de Portugal, Internazionale, Chelsea, Benfica, Salzburg, Villarreal
However, a controversy arose. During Atletico Madrid’s draw with Bayern Munich, Manchester United’s ball was not in the pot. Atletico could have drawn United as well and United could have avoided PSG so early in the tournament. So the Round of 16 draw was redrawn.
UEFA reveals new ball for the Champions League knockout stage
UEFA have also revealed the new ball for the Champions League knockout stage.
Adidas and UEFA revealed that the new Champions League ball is inspired by “the starless White Nights of St Petersburg summers”. This new football will be used from the Round of 16 matches in February 2022.
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