Sports

FULL LIST: UEFA Champions League Play-off Draw Unveiled

Published

2 years ago

August 5, 2024

The stage is set for the final hurdle before the group stages, as the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League play-off round draw took place on Monday, August 5, at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.

The draw, held at 12:00 CET, determined the matchups that will be played on August 20/21 and 27/28, where teams will vie for a coveted spot in the prestigious tournament’s main event.

PUNCH Online retrieved this from a release obtained from the UCL website on Monday night.

It was titled, “UEFA Champions League play-off round draw.”

Here is the full list of the draws:
Young Boys Bern (SUI) vs. Galatasaray (TUR)

Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) vs. Qarabag (AZE) or Ludogorets (BUL)

Midtjylland (DEN) or Ferencvaros (HUN) vs. Slovan Bratislava (SVK) or APOEL Nicosia (CYP)

Jagiellonia Bialystok (POL) or Bodo/Glimt (NOR) vs. Crvena Zvezda (SRB)

Malmo (SWE) or PAOK (GRE) vs. Sparta Prague (CZE) or Steaua Bucharest (ROU)

Lille (FRA) or Fenerbahce (TUR) vs Slavia Prague (CZE) or Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL)

Dynamo Kyiv (UKR) or Rangers (SCO) vs. RB Salzburg (AUT) or Twente (NED)

The PUNCH reports that the UEFA Champions League play-off round draw follows specific procedures to ensure fairness. Teams play home and away matches in a knockout system.

An equal number of seeded and unseeded clubs are paired based on club coefficient rankings. Restrictions prevent certain teams from being drawn against each other.

In the Champions Path, 10 teams were split into five seeded and five unseeded categories. In the league path, four teams were divided into two seeded and two unseeded groups.

The draw determines matchups and home teams for the first legs, with the schedule and kick-off times managed by UEFA.

Sports

EPL: ‘Go For Alvarez’ – Paul Merson Hands Arsenal Two Signings To Make

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson, has handed his old club two signings to make in the summer.

Merson wants Arsenal to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez and a new midfielder.

“I would get a centre forward this summer, I would go for Julian Alvarez,” Merson said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.

“I am a big fan. If they could get him, I would. I still think they probably need another midfield player as well.”

Arsenal is expected to bolster its squad in the summer after winning the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City this season.

Sports

EPL: Wayne Rooney Picks Most Improved Player This Season

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney, has picked the Red Devils defender Luke Shaw as the most improved player in the Premier League following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

Speaking on his BBC podcast, Rooney said, “I think, for me, Luke Shaw. I think Luke Shaw has been the most improved player this season.

“I know he is an experienced player now, but I think his level this season has been much better than it has been in recent seasons.

“People might look at Kobbie Mainoo but I don’t think he’s improved. It was just the fact he wasn’t playing under the former manager so it wasn’t good or bad.”

Shaw enjoyed one of his most consistent seasons at Man United and started all of Man United’s Premier League games.

Sports

EPL: Maresca Signs Three-year Contract To Replace Guardiola At Man City

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Former Chelsea and Leicester City manager, Enzo Maresca has signed a three-year contract with Manchester City.

Maresca will now replace Pep Guardiola, who took charge of his last game on Sunday – a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, wrote on X on Tuesday: “Enzo Maresca has already signed a three-year deal as Manchester City’s new manager.

“Agreement until June 2029 and new chapter to start soon at #MCFC, with Maresca fully involved in the transfer strategy.

“Here we go, 100% confirmed.”

Maresca has been out of work since he left Stamford Bridge in January this year and has snubbed offers while waiting for the City job.