The Europa League draw is at its zenith today. Europa League, group stage
TBILISI, Dec 11 - Sputnik. According to the results of the draw for the 1/16 finals of the UEFA Europa League, held at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, four Russian clubs recognized their rivals.
Nice (France) - Lokomotiv (Moscow)
"Spartak" (Moscow) - "Athletic Bilbao" (Spain)
"Crvena Zvezda" (Serbia) - CSKA (Moscow)
Celtic (Scotland) - Zenit (St. Petersburg)
Lokomotiv, Zenit and CSKA will play their first matches of the 1/16 finals of the UEFA Champions League on the road, while Spartak will start the playoffs with a game in Moscow.
Cote d'Azur for Lokomotiv
Lokomotiv Moscow confidently won group "F" and was among the seeded teams during the draw. The rivals of the current leader of the championship of Russia went to "Nice", located in the upper part standings championship of France, but showing a rather unstable game. Up to this point, the teams have never crossed paths, but they are united by the fact that the Serbian defender of Lokomotiv Nemanja Pejchinovic, before moving to the Moscow club in 2014, played for Nice for four seasons.
Two red stars - Serbian and Russian
CSKA Moscow, which got into the LE from the group stage of the Champions League, went to the Serbian "Crvena Zvezda", which took second place in the "H" group, as rivals. It is curious that the emblems of both clubs have a red star. On this occasion, the striker of the “army” Fedor Chalov has already managed to joke, saying that “Crvena Zvezda” is practically Spartak Moscow, and they will prepare for the upcoming game like a derby. The teams have never met each other on the European arena.
Again the Scots for the "Zenith"
"Zenith", as well as "Locomotive", became the winner of the group stage, without question taking the first line in the "L" quartet. The opponents of Roberto Mancini's team were the Scottish “Celtic”, which played in the UEFA Champions League, but in group “B” was content with third place, conceding 18 goals. Zenit have never met with the Celts, but in 2008, in the final of the then UEFA Cup, Russian club outplayed Celtic's arch-rival Glasgow Rangers 2-0.
"Spartak" against the Basques
The reigning champion of Russia, Spartak Moscow, failed to reach the playoffs of the UEFA Champions League and was forced to be content with participation in the LE. The rivals of the “red-whites” went to the Spanish “Athletic” from Bilbao, which bypassed the Swedish “Oestersund” in additional indicators and took first place in the group “J” of the LE. The Spaniards now show not the most best football, balancing dangerously close to the relegation zone in the national championship. If, after the winter break, the Basques continue to play such football, Spartak has a good chance of reaching the ¼ finals. Until now, the teams have never played against each other. However, "Athletic" twice crossed paths with teams from the USSR and Russia. In the Cup Cup of the 1973/74 season, the Spaniards beat Torpedo Moscow in the first round (2:0 on aggregate), and in the 1/16 LE of the 2011/12 season they defeated Lokomotiv (2:1 away and 1 :0 at home).
The remaining pairs of the 1/16 finals are as follows:
Borussia Dortmund (Germany) - Atalanta (Italy)
Copenhagen (Denmark) - Atletico Madrid (Spain)
AEK (Greece) - Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine)
Napoli (Italy) - RB Leipzig (Germany)
Lyon (France) - Villarreal (Spain)
Real Sociedad (Spain) - Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)
"Partizan" (Serbia) - "Victoria" (Czech Republic)
Steaua (Romania) - Lazio (Italy)
Ludogorets (Bulgaria) - Milan (Italy)
"Astana" (Kazakhstan) - "Sporting" (Portugal)
Ostersund (Sweden) - Arsenal (England)
Marseille (France) - Braga (Portugal)
The draw for the 1/8 finals of the Champions League and the 1/16 finals of the Europa League took place in Nyon, Switzerland.
The representative of Ukraine Donetsk Shakhtar in the Champions League got Italian Roma as rivals. The Pitmen already have experience of confrontation in the playoffs against Roman Roma. In the 2010-2011 season, Shakhtar managed to beat Roma twice (3:2 and 3:0) and advance to the next round.
Former Roma striker Francesco Totti commented on the results of the draw:
"Considering what other teams we could have drawn, the draw is good. But don't underestimate Shakhtar. They are strong technically and physically, and they play well at home. It will be an open match, but the longer it goes on, the harder it gets.
The Champions League is the main goal for us. We know that the further we go, the more we will meet strong teams, stronger than Roma.
Football is full of big surprises and we will create problems for any opponent we face."
According to Shakhtar CEO Sergey Palkin:
"Roma is not a bad option, given that there was a chance to meet Barcelona, PSG and Manchester United. It's a good draw for us. We've already played the Romans in the Champions League round of 16 and have moved on. Successful experience you should take advantage - show the football that the fans will like, and do everything to get to the next round. The fact that the Italians took first place in the group, ahead of Chelsea and Atlético, speaks of the high class of the opponent. In addition, football players are now assembled in Roma the highest level. We must seriously prepare for these matches, especially since they will take place after a two and a half month winter break. It is necessary to be at the right level both physically and mentally, and not to forget that Roma shows very high quality football and is considered one of the favorites of the Italian championship."
Results of the draw for the 1/8 finals of the Champions League
The first match between Shakhtar and Roma will take place in Kharkiv on February 21, the second leg on March 13.
The only representative of Ukraine in the Europa League, Dynamo Kyiv, got the Greek AEK as rivals.
The head coach of Dynamo Kyiv Oleksandr Khatskevich commented on the results of the draw:
"AEK has only one advantage over us: our rival during the matches of the 1/16 finals of the Europa League will play the matches of the Greek championship, but by that time we have just completed the off-season training camp. So, AEK, of course, will be in the best game tone.
As for the rest, we will try to deprive AEK of all trump cards. Now let's start a detailed study of the opponent. But, of course, we got a difficult opponent. AEK - good team. We will prepare to confront it with all seriousness.
Playing the first match away is often described as an advantage, but I think it's very relative. So I would not focus on the fact that we will hold the first meeting in Greece. In any case, we will have two fights with AEK, and the fate of the confrontation will be decided in the second leg.
Of course, we all know that Dmitry Chygrynsky is currently playing in the AEK. But, I think, when studying our opponent, we will manage without his help. Now there are more than enough opportunities to get complete information about any team. We will study videos of AEK matches and watch our opponent's fights live.
My preference for the opponent before the draw? I confess that we, the coaching staff of Dynamo, conducted a kind of blitz survey on this topic. I bet on Copenhagen."
AEK Executive Director Minas Lysandros:
"Dynamo is a team with a rich history, with experience playing in European competitions. It will be a difficult trip. This is a team that claims to be the champion in their country. This summer, the white and blue were our potential rivals in the Champions League qualifiers. As a result, CSKA fell to us, and we flew out of the fight. For us, the goal is to improve our position in the UEFA rankings."
AEK coach Manolo Jimenez commented on the results of the draw:
“The truth is that Dynamo is not the opponent I would like. In the summer in the Champions League qualification we played with a similar team - CSKA Moscow. Dynamo may not have such a weight in Europe as Arsenal and Atlético, but in my opinion , this is a very strong club.
Ukrainian teams have a big budget, and there are a lot of strong players in the roster. It will also be difficult for us to cope with the Ukrainian winter in February. Dynamo is the favorite in our pair, but we have our strengths and we will do our best."
At the end of the 30th round of the Premier League, all the participants from Russia in the next European Cup season were determined.
1st place.
Lokomotiv after 12 years returns to the main European tournament. According to the regulations, the Russian champion, despite his low club rating (22.500), will be in the first pot before the draw, where he will be joined by Bayern, Barcelona, PSG and Manchester City. Three more teams from the first pot have not yet been determined.
2nd place.
Champions League, group stage
From the group stage, the second RFPL team is now starting its way in the Champions League. CSKA will play in the group for the sixth time in a row. The club rating (45,000) allows the army team to count on getting into the third pot before the draw, but the exact distribution will become clear at the end of the qualifying round.
3rd place.
Champions League, third qualifying round
"Spartak" (club rating 13,500) will go "Way of the leagues". 8 teams take part in the third qualifying round: 3 winners of the second qualifying round, as well as vice-champions of Portugal, Ukraine, Belgium and the third team of France in addition to Spartak. If Spartak loses in the third qualifying round of the Champions League, they will play in the group stage of the Europa League.
Champions League Playoff Round*
*if a victory is won in the previous stage
For two trips to group stage The Champions League through the "Way of the Leagues" in the playoff round will argue 4 winners of the third qualifying round. Before each round, teams will be divided into seeded and unseeded teams. "Spartak" due to the low rating, most likely, will be among the unseeded at both stages. If Spartak loses in the playoff round of the Champions League, it will also continue on its way to the group stage of the Europa League.
4th place.
Europa League, group stage
The winner of the Russian Cup was supposed to play in the group stage of the LE, but Tosno could not obtain the necessary license, so his ticket passed to the fourth team of the Premier League.
5th place.
Europa League, third qualifying round
The non-admission of Tosno to European competitions shortened Zenit's path to the group stage by one stage. The high club rating (78,000) guarantees the Petersburgers a place among the seeded in all qualifying rounds.
6th place.
Europa League, second qualifying round
European Cup debutant Ufa, in order to reach the group stage, will need to win three two-legged confrontations: in the second and third qualifying rounds as well as the playoff round. The low rating (10.676) of the Ufimians complicates the task for the team of Sergei Semak.
The time indicated in the broadcast is Moscow
15:35. The draw for the 1/16 finals of the Europa League has ended. We got interesting couples Russian teams everything worked out quite well. This concludes our broadcast. All the best and good luck!
15:15. 1/16 finals of the Europa League:
Borussia Dortmund (Germany) - Atalanta (Italy);
Nice (France) - Lokomotiv (Russia);
"Copenhagen" (Denmark) - "Atletico" (Spain);
"Spartak" (Russia) - "Athletic" (Spain);
AEK (Greece) - Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine);
Celtic (Scotland) - Zenit (Russia);
Napoli (Italy) - RB Leipzig (Germany);
"Crvena Zvezda" (Serbia) - CSKA (Russia);
Lyon (France) - Villarreal (Spain);
Real Sociedad (Spain) - Salzburg (Austria);
"Partizan" (Serbia) - "Victoria" (Czech Republic);
Steaua (Romania) - Lazio (Italy);
Ludogorets (Bulgaria) - Milan (Italy);
"Astana" (Kazakhstan) - "Sporting" (Portugal);
Ostersund (Sweden) - Arsenal (England);
Marseille (France) - Braga (Portugal).
15:10. took the word Giorgio Marchetti. Came on stage Eric Abidal, it is he who will help at the draw.
15:05. Teams are being introduced now. By the way, they noted Zenit, which became the most productive team in the group round.
15:00. Begin! Everything is ready for the ceremony.
13:15. President of Lokomotiv Ilya Gerkus I would like to get Scottish Celtic as rivals in the 1/16 finals of the Europa League.
13:00. Greetings to all football lovers! We are glad to bring to your attention text broadcast draws for the second most important European football tournament. Immediately after the draw for the 1/8 finals of the Champions League, the draw for the 1/16 finals of the Europa League will take place, which will begin in Nyon at 15:00 Moscow time. But we start the broadcast in advance in order to have time to acquaint you with various interesting facts.
Too good grinder. Why the Europa League is no less cool than the Champions League
The Champions League is fun for glory hunters. In the playoffs, it's better to enjoy the Europa League. And that's why.
Seeded clubs: Lokomotiv (Russia), Zenit (Russia), CSKA (Russia), Atletico (Spain), RB Leipzig (Germany), Sporting CP (Portugal), Villarreal (Spain), Athletic ”(Spain), Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine), Braga (Portugal), Milan (Italy), Atalanta (Italy), Lazio (Italy), Arsenal (England), Victoria "(Czech Republic)," Red Bull Salzburg "(Austria).
Unseeded clubs: Spartak (Russia), Napoli (Italy), Celtic (Scotland), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Astana (Kazakhstan), Partizan (Serbia), Red Star (Serbia) , Ludogorets (Bulgaria), AEK (Greece), Lyon (France), Copenhagen (Denmark), Steaua (Romania), Marseille (France), Nice (France), Ostersund "(Sweden), "Real Sociedad" (Spain).
The matches of this stage of the playoffs of the Europa League will be held on 15 and 22 February. The seeded teams will play the return matches at home.
Teams from the same group and from the same association cannot hit each other. According to the decision of the UEFA Executive Committee, the representatives of Russia and Ukraine will be separated into different pairs.
