February 9 – A second successive Champions League last-16 game as been switched to neutral ground in Hungary due to Covid-19 travel restrictions in Germany.
Following the decision to move next week’s RB Leipzig-Liverpool to Budapest, the same city has been selected for the Borussia Monchengladbach-Manchester City first leg on February 24.
Although Germany’s travel ban is only in place until at least Feb. 17, there are fears it will be extended to all but German citizens or residents.
UEFA rules stipulate it is the home team’s responsibility to find a suitable backup venue.
“A last-16 game in the Champions League is an extraordinary event for Borussia Mönchengladbach that will now sadly take place without spectators and not in our own stadium,” Gladbach CEO Stephan Schippers said. “But we are happy that we can play at all.”
UEFA also confirmed that Molde would play Hoffenheim in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie in Spain.
This time, restrictions in Norway prevent Hoffenheim from traveling for the first leg of the round of 32, which will now be played at Villarreal’s stadium as a neutral venue on February 18.
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