Man City & Chelsea’s last-16 Champions League ties may be played in Portugal

Are Man City & Chelsea going to Portugal?

According to the Times on Wednesday, pressure is building on UEFA to confirm that the four remaining Champions League last-16 second-leg ties should be played in the same country.

While such a decision would have a lesser bearing on Chelsea, who trail Bayern Munich 3-0 after the first-leg in London, Man City stand to lose home advantage against Real Madrid.

Man City beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the first-leg in Spain.

 

Teams in the Champions League quarter-finals

The following teams have already qualified for the Champions League quarter-finals: PSG, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta and RB Leipzig.

Meanwhile, four ties remain in the balance after only completing the first leg.

Those matches are Chelsea vs Bayern Munich, Napoli vs Barcelona, Real Madrid vs Man City and Lyon vs Juventus.

 

What’s the benefit of playing these matches in Portugal?

The argument presented in the Times is that “Uefa chiefs would prefer the four remaining last-16 legs to be played in one country to make it easier to manage international coronavirus restrictions.”

But does this really stand up? Especially at a time when much of the European Union is beginning to open it’s borders to encourage the restart of the tourism industry?

It’s also worth noting that rumours about the possible venue changes for these last-16 Champions League ties have been around for some weeks.

Previously, the Athletic reported that Real Madrid have actively begun applying pressure to have their match against Man City moved from the Etihad Stadium.

The Athletic claimed that Real Madrid had two problems: (1) coronavirus concerns and, (2) optics. Readers were told:

Sources say Real Madrid are lobbying to have the game switched from Manchester to a neutral location… because of concerns over coronavirus in England. 

Real Madrid are said to be arguing that even if special waivers are granted, such circumstances would mean it is inappropriate for an international football game to take place at City’s Etihad Stadium. 

 

How likely is it that these Man City & Chelsea fixtures are moved to neutral venues?

The way the Times report it, it’s definitely possible.

As mentioned above, UEFA chiefs are said to be keen on the proposal, while the Times further indicate that plans to make this happen are underway:

Uefa has pencilled in two venues in Portugal — Porto and Guimarães — for the last 16 legs. It has already been decided that Lisbon will host a straight knockout tournament from the quarter-finals onwards.

On the other hand, this proposal isn’t being discussed without pushback. The Times note:

Barcelona, Juventus, and Bayern Munich would also be affected and it is understood the four clubs are lobbying hard to be allowed to play at their own stadiums unless government rules prevent it.

 

A quick note on Portugal & Covid-19

Many may raise an eyebrow at the fact that the final rounds of 2020-21 Champions League are set to be played in Portugal.

In recent days, several cities in Portugal have been returned to lockdown due to new outbreaks of the virus.

However, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has this week confirmed that the Portugal, Champions League plans will go ahead:

I would like to thank the Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa for his dedication to this project and the work he is doing alongside the Portuguese Football Federation to ensure that Portugal delivers a successful tournament.

I am confident that with the continued and constant collaboration between all stakeholders, we will conclude the season in a positive way in Lisbon. There is no need for a Plan B.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has eased fears the Champions League could be threatened by further coronavirus outbreaks.

— Sky Sports (@SkySports) July 1, 2020

 

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