🚩🚩PSV submit unexpected formal request to UEFA regarding possible Champions League clash with Arsenal

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According to reports, PSV and the Eindhoven municipality have officially requested UEFA’s approval ahead of Friday’s Champions League draw.

Peter Bosz’s team secured their spot in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday night with a thrilling 3-1 victory over Juventus in the second leg of their play-off tie. After a 2-1 defeat in the first leg, PSV equalized the aggregate score in regular time before defender Ryan Flamingo sealed the win with a dramatic 98th-minute goal.

The Dutch side is set to face either Arsenal or Inter Milan in the round of 16, with the draw scheduled for 11 a.m. GMT on Friday at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.

Ahead of the draw, reports have surfaced that PSV and the city of Eindhoven have made an unusual request to UEFA, asking to play their home fixture on Wednesday, March 5, instead of Tuesday, March 4. According to De Telegraaf, the request stems from the fact that March 4 marks the final day of the annual carnival, a five-day festival from February 28 to March 4 that turns Eindhoven’s city center—known as Lampegat during the event—into a massive celebration requiring a heightened police presence.

The primary reason for PSV’s request is the availability of law enforcement, as cited in the report. This is not the first time the club has made such a request; in 2007, UEFA rejected a similar appeal, forcing PSV to play Arsenal on a Tuesday night.

As previously mentioned, the Champions League round of 16 draw will take place on Friday at 11 a.m. UK time. The top eight clubs will be paired based on their final league positions: 1st with 2nd, 3rd with 4th, and so on. For instance, Arsenal will be matched with Inter Milan.

Arsenal will then be drawn into one of two spots in the bracket, currently assigned to either Feyenoord or PSV Eindhoven. Four bowls will be used for the draw, containing the names of each seeded pair. The first selected team will be placed in the top reserved spot, while the second will go to the corresponding spot on the other side of the bracket. Consequently, the first team drawn between Arsenal and Inter Milan will face PSV, while the other will take on Feyenoord