By Abiola Olawale
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has on Wednesday announced that Chelsea’s Champions League round-of-16 first-leg against Atletico Madrid will now take place in Bucharest, Romania due to restrictions placed on travellers, by the Spanish Government.
The European Union confirmed that the champions league tie between Atletico Madrid and Chelsea will be moved away from Spain in compliance with the restrictions placed on travellers from England by the Spanish Government.
However, the date of the match remains unchanged as it is set for Tuesday, February 23, with second leg at Stamford Bridge on March 17.
While confirming the development, Chelsea released a statement on its official website.
The statement reads, “UEFA has confirmed that Chelsea’s Champions League Round of 16 first leg match away against Atletico Madrid will now be played at the Arena Nationala in Bucharest in Romania. The date of the match, Tuesday 23 February, and the kick-off (8pm UK time) will remain the same. The second leg at Stamford Bridge is on Wednesday 17 March at 8pm.”
Similarly, UEFA confirmed that Liverpool Vs RB Leipzig and Manchester City VS Borussia Monchengladbach’s venues have been changed respectively.
Liverpool’s away trip to RB Leipzig in the competition is now set to be played in Budapest on February 16, while Manchester City will also meet Borussia Monchengladbach in Hungary a week later.
