FANS of certain Premier League clubs have suggested they feel the Champions League draw was rigged after it produced two emotional returns.
The draw for the league phase was chosen at random by a computer, adhering to a series of conditions to produce a fair draw without causing scheduling conflicts.
But that randomisation has produced some intensely personal draws that have prompted some emotional fans to suggest they were fixed.
Among the most anticipated matches of the draw is Real Madrid‘s trip to Anfield, where Trent Alexander-Arnold will be reunited with his previous club.
His was not the only other homecoming of the draw, with Kevin De Bruyne’s Napoli set to travel to the Etihad to face his former side.
One fan on X asserted: “TAA playing Liverpool and KDB vs City. Tell me that’s not rigged.”
Another clearly agreed, stating: “Trent at Anfield, KDB at City, Berta derby…. Rigged thoughts!?”
One Liverpool fan even drew links with summer signing Hugo Ekitike making his return to former club Eintracht Frankfurt.
They said: “They 100% rigged it to have Trent return to Anfield and Hugo to return to Frankfurt. Ffs”
Alexander-Arnold burned bridges with Liverpool when he joined Madrid following the expiry of his contract.
De Bruyne left City on better terms, but it will still be an emotional homecoming for the 34-year-old, who spent a decade at the club.
It is not only former players making their returns to haunt their past clubs, there appear to be a variety of scores to settle in the draw.
Last year’s semi-finalists Arsenal will host Spurs legend Harry Kane as he leads the line for German giants Bayern Munich.
Liverpool will also host Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid at Anfield once again.
It will be the third time in six seasons that the pair have faced off, producing one of the most exciting matches in recent Champions League history when Atleti sped away in extra-time to dump the reds out of the 2019/20 round of 16.
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