Arsenal vs. Beskitas highlights Champions League playoff draw
The first legitimate Champions League pairings have been made as the draw for the tournament's playoff round were revealed Friday, featuring numerous matchups to whet the appetite of fans starved for the European competition.
Arsenal, looking to advance to their 15th consecutive appearance in the group stage, will have to get past Turkish side Beskitas in the opening round. It will be the first meeting between the two in a European competition when the first leg takes place Aug. 19 in Istanbul, with the second match on the 27th in London.
Rafael Benítez’s Napoli were handed a tough test after they were drawn with Athletic Bilbao of Spain, while Portuguese giants FC Porto and Lille should provide an exciting contest and Scottish champions Celtic, who were reinstated into the tournament, play Maribor of Slovenia.
Here's the rest of Champions League playoff fixtures:
Champions League play-off round | ||
---|---|---|
Beskitas | v | Arsenal |
Maribor | v | Celtic |
Napoli | v | Athletic Bilbao |
Lille | v | Porto |
FC Copenhagen | v | Bayer Leverkusen |
Standard Liège | v | Zenit St Petersburg |
Slovan Bratislava | v | Bate |
Steaua Bucuresti | v | Ludogorets |
Red Bull Salzburg | v | Malmo |
Aalborg | v | Apoel Nicosia |
Matches will be played Aug. 19-20 and 26-27.