Europa League Playoff: Barcelona draw Man United as Leverkusen set for Monaco test
The draws for the Europa League Playoffs have been concluded, with eight teams that finished in third place in the UEFA Champions League group stage joining the eight second-place teams from the Europa League group stage to play for a place in the Round of 16.
Spanish giants Barcelona will face English powerhouse Manchester United in a blockbuster clash over two legs. Barcelona finished in third place in their Champions League group while the Red Devils finished behind Real Sociedad in the Europa League group stage.
Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma will have to navigate a way past Austrian champions FC Salzburg if they are to reach the last 16 of the Europa League. The Italians finished second behind Real Betis in their Europa League group while Salzburg dropped from the Champions League after a third-place finish.
Super Eagles forward Moses Simon will face the stern test of Italian giants Juventus when they take on FC Nantes in their Europa League Playoff tie. The French side finished behind SC Freiburg in the Europa League group stage.
Sporting Lisbon will face Danish outfit FC Midtjylland in their Europa League Round of 16 Playoff clash. FC Midtjylland finished behind 2022 Conference League runners-up Feyenoord in the group stage, while Sporting dropped from the Champions League.
Bayer Leverkusen will face AS Monaco for a place in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League. The German outfit dropped into the competition from the Champions League while Monaco finished behind Hungarian side Ferencvaros in their Europa League group.
Shakhtar Donetsk will do battle with French side Stade Rennais for a place in the Round of 16 of Europe’s second-tier competition. The Ukrainian side dropped from the Champions League while their opponents finished behind Fenerbahce in the Europa League group phase.
Perennial Europa League champions Sevilla will look to progress in the competition when they face PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League Playoff. The Spanish side dropped into the competition from the Champions League while the Dutch side, managed by legendary striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy, finished behind Arsenal in their Europa League group.
Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey will renew his acquaintance with the Europa League in which he performed excellently with Rangers last season. He will join his Ajax side when they face German high-fliers Union Berlin for a place in the last 16 of the competition.
Here is the Europa League Playoff draw in full:
- Barcelona vs Manchester United
- FC Salzburg vs AS Roma
- Juventus vs FC Nantes
- Sevilla vs PSV
- AS Monaco vs Bayer Leverkusen
- Union Berlin vs Ajax
- Shakhtar Donetsk vs Rennes
- Sporting Lisbon vs FC Midtjylland
