They can’t really can they. The outcome of who could play who could look very different, e.g. what if Atalanta get knocked out in the R32. It needs to happen like this due to UEFA’s own over complicated R16 draw rules.
Yep, as per usual fans are at the bottom of a football governing body list of priorities SHOCK. It isn't possible to advance draw the R16 due to the complications of who you can/cannot play based on group winners and same country. It becomes a straight draw from the quarter final.