Champions League

Pep Guardiola reacts to Champions League last 16 re-draw fiasco

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 13 December 2021

Guardiola reacts to Champions League re-draw fiasco

Pep Guardiola believes it was "fair" for all teams that the Champions League last-16 draw was conducted again, after mistakes were made in the initial draw.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes it was "fair" for all teams that the Champions League last-16 draw was conducted again, after mistakes were made in the initial draw.

Errors involving Manchester United, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid were made due to "technical problems", forcing UEFA to declare the 11am draw void before carrying out a second draw at 2pm.

The Citizens were set to face La Liga outfit Villarreal; however, they will now be locking horns with Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon in the last 16.

Speaking to the press ahead of City's Premier League game against Leeds United on Tuesday, Guardiola said: "I think it's fair. It was a mistake and these kind of things sometimes happen, especially the players and managers, so sometimes UEFA too.

"Like I always said I am more than satisfied to be a part of that. I think it is fair. It is a mistake, so you have to repeat so there are no suspicions.

"All the opponents are tough. People say one is better than the other but all of them at this stage are difficult and welcome to the opponent we are going to face."

City will travel to Lisbon for the first leg on February 15, before they welcome the Primeira Liga holders to the Etihad Stadium for the second leg on March 8.