Chelsea’s trip to Atletico Madrid moved over Covid travel concerns

The last-16 first leg will now be staged at the Arena Nationala in Bucharest

The game will now be staged at the Arena Nationala in Bucharest (Getty Images)

Chelsea's away Champions League with Atletico Madrid will now take place in Bucharest due to coronavirus travel concerns.

The first leg of the last-16 tie will be staged at the Arena Nationala in the Romanian capital, following Spanish government restrictions on travellers entering the country from England.

"Uefa has confirmed that Chelsea's Champions League round-of-16 first-leg match away against Atletico Madrid will now be played at the Arena Nationala in Bucharest in Romania," a Chelsea statement read.

"The date of the match, Tuesday, 23 February, and the kick-off (8pm UK time) will remain the same.

"The second leg at Stamford Bridge is on Wednesday, 17 March at 8pm."

The first legs of Liverpool and Manchester City's Champions League ties against RB Leipzig and Borussia Monchengladbach have been moved to Budapest, while Arsenal and Manchester United have seen the first legs of their Europa League last-32 clashes moved to Rome and Turin, respectively.

PA