The past 24 hours have shown how ballestic firecrackers can quickly turn into political ones. In the Champions League round of 16 games between Chelsea and Lille as well as Villareal and Juventus on Tuesday evening, not only the sporting aspect dominated, but also the topic of Ukraine and the sanctions of the European Football Union (Uefa) against Russia. In view of the Kremlin’s authorized recognition of the eastern Ukrainian separatist areas, calls for the Champions League final to be moved from the Russian city of St. Petersburg had become louder. As Uefa announced on Tuesday, they have “no plans to change the venue”, but the situation is being closely monitored. A final decision was still pending when this issue went to press. As a precaution, the British daily newspaper “The Sun” mentioned Wembley Stadium as a substitute venue for the final.
Now the decision about the final on May 28 in St. Petersburg, after all the hometown of President Putin, is not the only construction site Uefa is busy with. According to its own statements, the association is also in close contact with the national associations and clubs concerned with regard to international games of the Russian champions Zenit St. Petersburg. “It is currently planned that all games will take place as planned,” it said. Zenit meet Betis Sevilla in the Europa League second leg in Spain on Thursday night. The question of how Uefa will deal with sponsor Gazprom is also unclear. The Russian energy company has been a close partner of the football association for several years and is placed in the stadiums for events such as the Champions League or European Championships.
Champions League, Round of 16:
Tuesday:
Chelsea – Lille 2: 0
Villarreal-Juventus 1:1
Wednesday:
Benfica – Ajax Amsterdam 21 hours
Atletico – Man United 9 p.m. / ServusTV
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Rumors about United star Ronaldo
Manchester United are tormented by other concerns. Here the euphoria about Cristiano Ronaldo’s comeback has given way to disillusionment. Although the kicker is the most successful goalscorer, his “motor” has stuttered lately. Before the round of 16 first leg at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday (21/Sky and Dazn), things are brewing around the English record champions. Also because of Ronaldo, who was not involved in a goal in Leeds recently. Coach Ralf Rangnick rejects such rumors. “We stand together,” Ronaldo wrote on Twitter and Instagram, where he has almost half a million followers, after his team’s 4-2 win at Leeds United. “A very important Premier League win before we turn our focus to the Champions League and head to Madrid.”
In any case, Ronaldo was once feared at Atletico. In the dress of city rivals Real, he scored 25 goals against the Colchoneros, including in the Champions League final victory in 2014 and in the penalty shoot-out of the triumph in 2016 in the premier class. This is contrasted by the home strength of Atleticos, who since 1997 have not suffered a defeat in 14 knockout games at home with nine wins.
In the second Wednesday duel (9 p.m.) Benfica and Ajax Amsterdam meet – and thus two former champions. ÖFB team player Valentino Lazaro should, as always, be called up as a right-back in the back four under neo-coach Nelson Verissimo. Coach Erik ten Hag’s Ajax is a tough nut to crack on the way to the second quarter-finals after 2019: In the group stage, they celebrated six wins in six games against Besiktas, Borussia Dortmund and Benfica’s city rivals Sporting. Striker Sebastien Haller is the current top scorer with ten goals.(what/rail)
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