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Union Berlin plays against Ajax Amsterdam
Photo: IMAGO/Sebastian Räppold/Matthias Koch / IMAGO/Matthias Koch
Union Berlin and Bayer Leverkusen have been drawn attractive opponents for the Europa League play-offs.
As the draw on Monday in Nyon showed, the Köpenickers will meet Ajax Amsterdam in the first knockout round.
Meanwhile, Leverkusen is challenged against AS Monaco by ex-Bayer professional Kevin Volland.
As one of the group winners from the preliminary round, SC Freiburg has already qualified for the round of 16.
Union, second in the group stage, initially plays away, while Bayer, relegated from the Champions League, enjoys home rights in the first leg.
The play-offs will take place on February 16th and 23rd, before the round of 16 on March 9th and 16th.
The final will take place on May 31, 2023 in Budapest.
FC Barcelona and Manchester United are in a duel between the big names.
Both teams were among the best teams in Europe for years, but had recently lost touch with the international top.
The pairings at a glance:
FC Barcelona – Manchester United
Juventus FC Nantes
Sporting Lisbon vs Midtjylland FC
Shakhtar Donetsk – Rennes Stadium
Ajax Amsterdam-UNION BERLIN
BAYER LEVERKUSEN – AS Monaco
Sevilla FC vs PSV Eindhoven
RB Salzburg – AS Roma
see/dpa