Uefa Champions League play-off draw
Uefa Champs League play-off draw
Posted: 2010-08-06 13:46
The draw for the 2010-11 Uefa Champions League that took place in Switzerland today has thrown up a number of interesting clashes in the play-off round.
As per Michel Platini's overhauls, there are two routes in this play-off draw.
Ten teams entered the Champions route, which saw two seeded pots drawn to face each other, with the five winners each taking a place in the group stage.
Then there were 10 teams, mainly from larger nations, in the Non-Champions route, who must undergo the same test.
These teams will join 22 other clubs in the Champions League group stage, which is to begin on September 14 following the draw on August 26.
For the Champions, it's a chance for lesser-represented countries to make their mark on the European stage. Debrecen and APOEL found themselves in the group stage last year, and players around modest clubs such as Zilina are hoping for the same this time around.
Meanwhile the lowest-ranked team left, Sheriff Tiraspol, are hoping to bring Champions League football to the Moldovan league for the first time. In their impressively modern Sheriff stadium this wealthy club has aspirations beyond their locality, but first must face the likes of Basel.
Sparta Prague who just squeezed into the seeding section will have to deal with Zilina. Rosenborg are up against Copenhagen, while Red Bull Salzburg face Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Finally, Serbian titans Partizan were paired with Belgian side Anderlecht.
Then there's the non-champions route, which many would argue is actually stronger.
Sevilla are recent European heavyweights; Werder Bremen need no introduction; Tottenham Hotspur come from the glitz and glamour of the Premier League; Zenit are Europa League winners; and Ajax Amsterdam won this contest just over a decade ago.
And that's just the seeded teams!
In the other pot were Dynamo Kyiv, an Eastern force, while Sporting Braga shocked all in Portugal to finish second and earn their spot at Europe's top table. Sampdoria ousted the likes of Juventus to end up fourth in Italy, while France's Auxerre and the Young Boys of Bern both have quality midfields.
Sampdoria, led in attack by the unmistakable Antonio Cassano, won't be too pleased with the draw, as they will have to deal with Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen. Dynamo Kiev cannot rightly any longer be called a trip into the unknown and will provide a stern test for Ajax.
Meanwhile Auxerre have been largely out of European contention for some time but have stormed back from recent poor seasons to become a French force. The Ligue 1 side will have to deal with Zenit St. Petersburg.
La Liga side Sevilla will have to eliminate Braga if they are to make it into the group stage, while the last tie is the clash between English side Tottenham Hotspur and Swiss surprise package Young Boys.
One team from each of the two-legged ties will progress, meaning five from each path and ten in total. Ties will be played on August 17-18 and 24-25.
These ten teams will then be drawn as part of a seeded group stage, comprising eight pools of four, along with the following clubs:
Inter, Valencia, Lyon, CFR Cluj, Chelsea, Roma, Rubin Kazan, Benfica, Manchester Utd, AC Milan, Spartak Moscow, Bursaspor, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Shakhtar Donetsk, Panathinaikos, Barcelona, Schalke, Twente, Rangers, Real Madrid and Marseille
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