Wolves star Ruben Vinagre can look forward to a tie against Manchester City in the Champions League last 16, following a controversial redraw today.
The draw had to be done again after there was a mistake involving Atletico Madrid, Manchester United and Liverpool regarding who the teams were eligible to be drawn against.
UEFA said (via Sky News): “Following a technical problem with the software of an external service provider that instructs the officials as to which teams are eligible to play each other, a material error occurred in the draw for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.”
Three hours after the botch, the draw was done again.
Vinagre’s loan club, Sporting CP, have been drawn against Premier League champions Manchester City.
The champions of Portugal had originally been drawn against Juventus.
City, of course, reached the final of the Champions League last season. They lost 1-0 to Chelsea at the Estadio do Dragao.
It will be a real chance for Vinagre to impress.
The 22-year-old has been a regular in the starting XI at the start of the season. But he hasn’t featured since the game against Besiktas on November 3.
He is currently struggling with an ankle injury.
Chance for Ruben Vinagre to impress Sporting officials after Champions League redraw
This will be a big test for Wolves youngster Vinagre if he plays.
At the moment he is out of the picture due to injury. But the first leg takes place in mid-February so he will presumably be available by then.
Sporting have an option to buy Vinagre at the end of his loan spell. So big performances against high-class opposition will increase the likelihood of Wolves securing a transfer next summer.
He previously said Sporting was his dream club. So this could be a big moment for him.