CL opponents confirmed

LIVE from 6pm: Sturm and Salzburg find out their opponents

Sturm Graz and Salzburg attack in the Champions League.

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures, Photoshop)

Austria's representatives Sturm Graz and Salzburg know their opponents for the Champions League group stage. While the double winners were drawn against teams that are certainly beatable on Thursday, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayer Leverkusen will be tough opponents for the Bulls.

While the Styrians face Leipzig (H), Dortmund (A), Atalanta (A), Club Brugge (H), Lille (A), Sporting Lisbon (H), Girona (H) and Stade Brest (A), the team from Mozart's city will be up against Real Madrid (A), Paris Saint-Germain (H), Atletico Madrid (H), Bayer Leverkusen (A), Feyenoord (A), Dinamo Zagreb (H), Sparta Prague (A) and also Stade Brest (H).

The opponents according to pots:

Disappointment at Lavalee
The draw caused mixed feelings in the champions' camp. "Maybe there are groups with bigger names. But I'm grounded enough to appreciate our performance at this level. We're grateful to be in the concert of the big names," said coach Christian Ilzer. His Belgian player Dimitri Lavalee, on the other hand, was a little disappointed "that none of the biggest teams are here. We know the style of play of certain opponents. We'll see if we've developed further."

Sturm coach Christian Ilzer

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

Ilzer, meanwhile, was "looking forward to the yellow wall in Dortmund" and tried to assess Sturm's standing among the 36 CL participants. "24th place would be a world sensation. We're the clear outsiders, but we want to deliver a sensation or two. We will approach the tasks with heart and passion. The best thing is to play Champions League with Sturm Graz." Sporting director Andreas Schicker hopes "that on a good day we can hold our own against these opponents."

Sturm Graz will get to know the Yellow Wall.

(Bild: APA/HANS PUNZ)

"Absolutely awesome journey"
Runners-up Salzburg, who were in pot three, have the right to play at home against Paris Saint-Germain (1), Atletico Madrid (2), Dinamo Zagreb (3) and also Brest. Away from home, coach Pepijn Lijnders' squad will face David Alaba's Real (1), Leverkusen (2), Gernot Trauner's Feyenoord Rotterdam (3) and Sparta Prague (4). "It will be an absolutely fantastic journey through Europe with these eight games for our talented, hungry young team. The boys have earned it, now they have this stage," said sporting director Bernhard Seonbuchner.

Bulls at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Lijnders, who watched the draw with his family, missed out on the dream draw with Liverpool. Nevertheless, the Dutchman was delighted with the attractive opponents. "I think we have five champions as opponents and three title contenders." Real Madrid are the ultimate opponents. "It will be really special for the team to go to Bernabeu. It's going to be massive, you're playing the reigning champions straight away. I'm looking forward to it."

Salzburg coach Pepijn Lijnders

(Bild: APA Pool/APA/BARBARA GINDL)

In any case, the goal is promotion. "You're playing against eight teams, a lot can happen. It's a long way to get to the next stage. But I really believe that we can do it. But it's even more important that we perform in our own way, show who we are, our talent, our intensity and our way, the Salzburg way. We need our fans for that. Our stadium has to be as loud as possible," explained Lijnders.

As the new league phase has no groups and also comprises 36 instead of 32 clubs, the mode is different. The twelve teams with the fewest points are eliminated. The teams in places 9 to 24 will compete in play-offs for a place in the round of 16. The top eight are guaranteed a place in the last 16, with the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals being decided in two matches as usual and the final in one match.