Author: Barkha Roy
Brighton, who are making their first appearance in the Europa League, faced a formidable draw during Friday’s group stage selection. Roberto De Zerbi’s side, making their debut in continental soccer after finishing sixth in the Premier League last season, were put to a stern test. The Seagulls are in Group B alongside Ajax and Marseille, who have already won the Champions League.
Dutch giants Ajax, who have won the European title four times, will be a big challenge, while Marseille, winners of the European Cup in 1993, add even more weight to the competition. Brighton’s path in this tournament becomes even more challenging as they face AEK Athens, the reigning Greek champions. His campaign in Europe will start on Thursday, September 21.
Liverpool, three-time winners of the competition during its previous run as the UEFA Cup, are now in Group E. The Reds will face LASK from Austria, Union St Gilloise from Belgium and Toulouse from France.
West Ham, which represents the Premier League after its victory in the Europa League Conference final last season, has been placed in Group A. West Ham are preparing to face formidable 47-time Greek champions Olympiacos, German side Freiburg and newcomers TSC Backa Topola from Serbia.
Rangers, who recently progressed to the Europa League after their Champions League play-off defeat by PSV Eindhoven, will now face Real Betis of Spain. This match has special significance for Rangers, as it marks their return to Seville, the site of their 2022 Europa League final defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt. Joining them in Group C are Sparta Prague from the Czech Republic and Cypriot champions Aris Limassol.
The path to the knockout phase is simple: the winners of the eight groups will guarantee direct passage to the Round of 16. At the same time, the eight runners-up will face off against the third-placed teams from the Champions League group stage in the knockout stage play-offs. All eyes are now on the long-awaited Europa League final, firmly set for May 22 in Dublin.
Conference League 2023/24
Meanwhile, Aston Villa made a triumphant return to European soccer, aiming to follow West Ham’s example and end their long trophy drought. The Midlands club, winners of the European Cup for over four decades, last tasted silverware 27 years ago. However, optimism is growing at Villa Park with the presence of Unai Emery, a master of European competitions, at the helm.
The four-time Europa League winner led Villa to a respectable seventh place nationally last season, which guaranteed them a place in this year’s European Conference League. The competition has gained significant prestige, especially after the recent victories of José Mourinho’s Roma and West Ham’s triumph in June.
We’re back 🎶🥰#UECL || #UECLdraw pic.twitter.com/mCI0y9O0q4
– UEFA Europa Conference League (@europacnfleague) September 1, 2023
In Group E, Villa will face last season’s semi-finalists AZ Alkmaar, who were knocked out by West Ham, as well as Legia Warsaw and Bosnian underdogs Zrinjski.
The competition features several top clubs, including last season’s finalists Fiorentina and 2022 Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt. French and Belgian teams such as Lille, Club Brugge and Gent are among the frontrunners, while Pot 1 includes Fenerbahce, Ferencvaros and Dinamo Zagreb.
The group stage will begin with the first round of matches on September 21 and end on December 14. The knockout stage play-offs will be held in February, with the runners-up from the Europa Conference League groups and the third-placed teams from the Europa League. The winners of these clashes will advance to the Round of 16, joining the winners of the European Conference League groups, which guarantee automatic qualification. The final is scheduled for May 29 in Athens.