Difficult lot for Barcelona

On Monday, December 13, the draw for the playoffs of all three European cups took place in Nyon, Switzerland.

However, the attention of Russian fans was riveted on the Europa League, where Zenit was supposed to recognize its rival.

Petersburgers took third place in group H of the Champions League and were eliminated from the tournament, and at the stage of 1/16 finals they could get the teams that became the second in the LE quartets: Dynamo Zagreb, Olympiacos, Real Sociedad, Napoli, Betis, Rangers, Braga and Lazio.

There were no frankly frightening options, but it would be undesirable to hit two Italian giants, even if the Neapolitans lost twice to Spartak in the group stage.

All other teams looked a little weaker on paper.

As a result, the club from the banks of the Neva received an intermediate version in the form of "Betis".

At first glance, the Spanish team does not seem formidable.

He rarely makes it to European cups, often finds himself in the middle of the national championship standings, and even flew out of the elite division several times in the 21st century.

It is interesting that the opponents' paths have never crossed before, although the Sevilians played four games with Rubin and Dynamo Moscow.

However, in the new season, Examples Betis pleasantly surprise their fans and, under the guidance of experienced coach Manuel Pellegrini, known for working with Manchester City, Real Madrid and Villarreal, occupy the third place in the standings, behind only Real Madrid and Seville.

And the forward of the Juanmi club with ten goals shares the second line in the tournament's scorers race with Vinicius Junior.

Another Spanish team - Barcelona, ​​which sensationally failed to reach the Champions League playoffs, got the most formidable rival of all - Napoli.

Led by Luciano Spalletti, the Neapolitans are fighting for the championship in Italy, although they have suffered two defeats in a row.

In the confrontation with the Catalans, who are going through a serious crisis, they rather look like favorites.

The last time the rivals met was quite recently, in the 1/8 finals of the 2019/20 Champions League.

Moreover, the first and second games were then divided by six months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In Italy, in February, the teams parted in peace (1: 1), and in the return match in August, the blue garnet were stronger (3: 1).

The rest of the pairs turned out to be less representative, and the paths of the clubs from the top 5 leading championships of the Old World crossed only in one more case.

Former "Spartak" mentor Domenico Tedesco will have to solve a difficult task.

Leipzig entrusted to him will converge with Real Sociedad, which gained a good move.

Atalanta, whose colors are protected by Alexei Miranchuk, will meet with the multiple champion of Greece Olympiacos.

And another Italian team Lazio will play against Porto.

A few words must be said about the drawing of lots for "Sheriff".

The strongest team of Moldova, which sensationally beat Real Madrid and Shakhtar in the Champions League group stage, got a completely passable rival - Braga.

And this means that Yuri Vernidub's charges have a good opportunity for the first time in history to break into the 1/8 finals of the European Cup.

It remains to add that the first play-offs will take place on February 17, and the second on the 24th.

Eternal rivals for Messi and Ronaldo

The Champions League draw was marred by a scandal.

Initially, it took place at 14:00 Moscow time.

By chance, the bronze medalist of Euro 2008 Andrei Arshavin, who was invited as a star guest for the procedure, was involved in the incident.

At first everything went according to plan.

The former captain of the Russian national team got Benfica as rivals for Real Madrid.

Problems began with the formation of the next pair, when the draw brought Villarreal and Manchester United together, although they could not meet in the round of 16 as they played in the same group.

Arshavin was asked to get another team, and it was Manchester City.

The difficulties did not end there, because the opponent of Atlético could be Liverpool.

These teams also faced off against each other in the same quartet of the main European Cup.

However, Atletico got to Bayern, and the Lersisides went to Salzburg.

In addition, PSG got to Manchester United, which meant Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had to come face to face.

However, UEFA soon announced that the draw would be repeated.

“Due to a technical problem with the software of an external vendor that informs UEFA officials which teams are eligible to play against each other, a serious mistake was made in the Champions League round of 16 draw,” the organization said in a statement.

According to media reports, only Real were against the new draw.

Madrid allegedly insisted that the mistakes began after the identification of their pair.

And the “creamy” ones can be understood, because they got the modest “Benfica” as their opponents.

However, UEFA, of course, did not change its decision.

The Spanish club felt as if this time Arshavin would send them to a much more formidable team.

As a result, the 13-time trophy winner went to PSG.

And Messi in the very first season after leaving Barça will meet for the first time with an eternal opponent outside of the Catalans.

The teams' paths have regularly crossed in the Champions League in recent years.

So, in the season before last they got into one group, and the Parisians defeated Madrid at home (3: 0) and drew away (2: 2).

But in the 2017/18 season, they turned out to be stronger in the 1/8 finals - 3: 1, 2: 1.

Cristiano Ronaldo will also have to face a well-known competitor - Atlético.

In his entire career, the Portuguese played against Madrid most of all - 35 times.

And in these matches, he scored 25 goals.

More often the striker upset only Sevilla - 27 goals.

Now he has a chance to bring his opponent to the first place in his personal rating of the most favorite opponents.

The confrontation between the reigning champion of Italy “Inter” and one of the strongest teams in England, “Liverpool”, is also of great interest.

Their paths crossed surprisingly infrequently - only twice.

In the semi-finals of the 1964/65 European Cup, the Milanese turned out to be stronger, making an impressive comeback after losing in the first leg away with a score of 1: 3.

In the 1/8 finals of the 2007/08 Champions League, the Merseysiders took revenge - 2: 0, 1: 0.