UEFA Round-up: Who Got Who?

The draws for the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League took place on Monday, with the British club left in the competition finding out their opponents. It should be noted that the Champions League draw was redone following administrative errors. So, here are the matches that involve British clubs:

Champions League Round of 16:

Sporting Lisbon vs. Manchester City:

For their first knockout round, Manchester City take on Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon. Manchester City will into this fixture as the clear favourites. The two teams have faced each other before, in the 2011/2012 round of 16, finishing 3-3 on aggregate, with Sporting progressing on away goals.

Chelsea vs. Lille:

The defending champions Chelsea were drawn against French champions Lille, with hope to progress to the quatre finals. The two have played recently, being drawn against each in the group stage just 2 years ago. Chelsea won 2-1 home and away, as they progressed while Lille finished bottom.

Atletico Madrid vs. Manchester United:

Manchester United were first drawn against Villarreal, however they weren’t able to, so they were put back into the hat, but only after they were excluded from being drawn against Atletico Madrid, which is what caused the draw to be redone, so it only makes sense that they were drawn against Atletico Madrid the second time round. Whilst United will be quietly confident, they can’t take their chances against the Spanish champions.

Inter Milan vs. Liverpool:

Round out the British Champions League draw, Liverpool takes on another champion, specifically the Italian champions of Inter Milan. The two sides have played each other before in the round of 16, with Liverpool winning 3-0 on aggregate that time. Liverpool with be favourites but anything can happen.

Europa League Knockout Play-offs:

Borussia Dortmund vs. Rangers:

Whilst there are no English clubs in the hat for the Europa league Knockout Playoffs round, there is a Scottish club with Rangers taking on German Giants Borussia Dortmund. I should point out that this round is Europa League Group Runners-up vs. Champions League Third Placers. The Scottish club will go into the match s underdogs, but they can’t be counted out.

Due to winning their Europa League group, West Ham United do not enter this round.

Conference League Knockout Play-offs:

Leicester City vs. Randers:

Like the Europa League, the Conference League Knockout Playoffs are between Group Runners-up vs. Europa League Third Placers. For example, Leicester City finished third in their Europa League Group and drop down to face Danish side Randers. This will be the first time the clubs face each other. Leicester probably go into this as the favourites.

Celtic vs. Bodø/Glimt:

Another team that was dropped down for finishing third was Celtic, and they now face Bodø/Glimt, the Champions of Norway. Again, this is the first time the two clubs face each other, in a match that Celtic will believe that they can win.

Rapid Wien vs. Tottenham Hotspur or Vitesse:

The final match, and probably the most interesting, may see Tottenham Hotspur play Rapid Wien of Austria. However, this could change. The reason for this is that Tottenham called of their last group game against Rennes off due to a COVID-19 outbreak. There is currently no resolution to this issue, and the result will determine whether Tottenham or Dutch side Vitesse will progress as Group Runners-up.