In the standout tie of the Europa League knockout phase play-offs, former champions Porto and Roma were drawn on Friday to face Claudio Ranieri’s side, and clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United both had potential opponents in the last 16.
Porto, who won the Europa League in 2011 as well as its predecessor, the UEFA Cup, in 2003, will be at home in the first leg on February 13 with the return in Italy a week later.
Anderlecht and Ajax will face close-knit Union Saint-Gilloise of Belgium in other notable play-off round games.
The top eight teams from the league phase will join the eight winners in the play-off round and advance to the last 16.
Lazio finished on top of the standings, just ahead of Athletic Bilbao, with United and Spurs coming third and fourth respectively.
The two Premier League clubs are aware that they will face either the winners of the play-off tie between AZ Alkmaar and Galatasaray or Midtjylland of Denmark and Real Sociedad because the draw for the last 16 is based on a predetermined bracket.
In the league phase, Spurs defeated AZ and Galatasaray 1-0 at home and lost 3-2 to the Turkish giants in Istanbul.
Last year, United only managed one point from a possible six when they played Galatasaray in the Champions League group stage.
Real Sociedad and the Old Trafford club have a long history of familiar opponents, including Champions League group winners in 2013/14, Europa League last 32 in 2021, and Europa League group stage winners in 2022.
Rangers, the 2022 Europa League runners-up, scraped into eighth place in the league phase and can face FC Twente of the Netherlands, Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt, Fenerbahce or Anderlecht in the last 16.
The last 16 draw will take place on February 21 with matches being played in March’s first half.
This season’s Europa League final will be played in Bilbao on Wednesday, May 21.
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Europa League Knockout Phase Play-Offs
Draw for the Europa League knockout phase play-offs, made on Friday:
Ferencvaros (HUN) v Viktoria Plzen (CZE)
FC Twente (NED) v Bodo/Glimt (NOR)
Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL) v Ajax (NED)
AZ Alkmaar (NED) v Galatasaray (TUR)
FC Porto (POR) v Roma (ITA)
Fenerbahce (TUR) v Anderlecht (BEL)
PAOK (GRE) v FCSB (ROM)
Midtjylland (DEN) v Real Sociedad (ESP)
Draw will take place on February 21st, according to the predetermined bracket for the last 16 — draw.
Ferencvaros, Viktoria Plzen, Lazio, Athletic Bilbao, or ESP Athletic
Twente or Bodo/Glimt v Olympiakos (GRE) or Rangers (SCO)
Union Saint-Gilloise or Ajax v Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) or Lyon (FRA)
Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) or AZ Alkmaar (ENG) versus Manchester United (ENG) or Galatasaray (ENG)
Porto or Roma v Athletic Bilbao (ESP) or Lazio (ITA)
Fenerbahce, Anderlecht, Rangers, Rangers, or Olympiakos (GRE) vs.
PAOK or FCSB v Lyon (FRA) or Eintracht Frankfurt (GER)
Real Sociedad, Midtjylland, Tottenham Hotspur, or Manchester United, respectively (ENG)
Source: Channels TV
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