Ajax plays in the eighth final of the Champions League against Benfica. The team from Amsterdam was initially linked to Internazionale on Monday afternoon, but that draw was cancelled. Ajax starts against Benfica with an away match.
Ajax, which won Group D brilliantly and without losing points, was able to meet seven numbers two from other groups. Atlético Madrid, Benfica, Chelsea, Internazionale, Paris Saint-Germain, Red Bull Salzburg and Villarreal all finished second in their respective groups. Sporting Portugal was not an option, because the Portuguese champion already played against Ajax in the group stage.
The first legs in the eighth finals will be played on February 15, 16, 22 and 23, after which the returns are scheduled on 8, 9, 15 and 16. The seeded teams, including Ajax, start with a home game and end the eighth finals with an away game. The confrontation between Ajax and Benfica is extra interesting in terms of coefficients: the Netherlands and Portugal are engaged in a battle for place six in the ranking, which entitles them to two direct Champions League tickets.
Huge mistakes were made in the original draw on Monday 12 noon. Less than two hours later, UEFA decided that the draw should be over. The European Football Association blames the errors on “a technical problem with the software of an external service provider that instructs officials which teams can meet.” UEFA apologized for the failed previous draw prior to the new draw. This time, UEFA officials were closely supervised to ensure that the software identified the correct possible opponents.