EUROPEAN football is back with the knockout stages, but for a number of English teams it will look very different.
Despite ties continuing to take place over the traditional two-leg format, some teams will be forced to forfeit home advantage due to Covid restrictions.
The Stadio Olimpico in Rome will host Arsenal’s away game against BenficaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Which Champions League ties will have venue changes?
Both Liverpool and Man City will visit the Puskas Arena in BudapestCredit: Getty Images – Getty
RB Leipzig vs Liverpool – Puskas Arena, Budapest
RB Leipzig are unable to host Liverpool in their home stadium as entry to Germany from the UK has been banned for all non-residents.
Jurgen Klopp himself was unable to return to the country to attend his mother’s funeral under the entry rules.
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Man City – Puskas Arena, Budapest
For the same reason as RB Leipzig’s game against Liverpool, Borussia Monchengladbach vs Man City will be unable to go ahead as planned.
Therefore Budapest has stepped in to host both matches.
Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea – National Arena, Bucharest
Entry to Spain from the UK has been banned for all non-residents.
Therefore this match has been moved to Bucharest.
Atletico Madrid will have fond memories of the National Stadium as Diego Simeone won his first trophy – the 2012 Europa League – there.
Which Europa League ties will have venue changes?
The Juventus Stadium will host Real Sociedad vs Man UtdCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Benfica vs Arsenal – Stadio Olimpico, Rome
The UK bans all non-residents from entering the country from Portugal.
Were Arsenal to play Benfica in Lisbon, the entire squad would be forced to undergo a ten-day hotel quarantine on return.
Therefore, the match has been moved to Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
Real Sociedad vs Man Utd – Juventus Stadium, Turin
Due to the Spanish government’s travel restrictions, Real Sociedad will host Man Utd at Juventus’ stadium in Turin.
Wolfsberg vs Tottenham – Puskas Arena, Budapest
Like Liverpool and Man City, Tottenham will also play the away leg of their European tie at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.
This is because all non-EU/EEA citizens except residents are banned from travelling to Austria from the UK.
Molde vs Hoffenheim – Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal
Despite stadiums in Spain not being allowed to host British clubs, Villarreal have been given permission to stage Molde vs Hoffenheim.
The game has been moved as Norway has closed its borders to all non-resident foreign nationals.
Arsenal vs Benfica
The Benfica team are currently banned from travelling to the UK, along with all non-residents entering from Portugal.
Arsenal had announced that Olympiacos’ Giorgos Karaiskakis Stadium in Athens would host the match.
However this post was later removed from their website and social media accounts.
What happens if a home team can’t move its tie to a neutral venue?
Where travel restrictions are imposed by the home team’s government, the club must find a new venue or be deemed to have forfeited the match 3-0.
Where travel restrictions are imposed by the away team’s government, that club will be asked to find a new venue or have Uefa choose one for them.
Do away goals still count double?
Uefa have confirmed that away goals WILL count double in all European ties this year.
That means, for example, that the rule will apply even if Benfica host Arsenal in Italy and Arsenal host Benfica in Greece.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
