With six places still up for grabs in the 2022/23 group stage, the play-off round begins on Tuesday August 16 and continues the following evening.
UEFA.com previews the action from the first leg.
first legs
tuesday august 16
Bodø/Glimt – Dinamo Zagreb
Copenhagen v Trabzonspor
Rangers v PSV
Wednesday August 17
Qarabağ vs Pilsen (18:45 CET)
Maccabi Haifa vs Crvena zvezda
Dynamo Kyiv v Benfica
All kick-offs at 21:00 CET, unless otherwise stated.
Bodø/Glimt – Dinamo Zagreb
The Norwegian side defied expectations to reach the quarter-finals of the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League last season, securing memorable victories over Roma and Celtic in the process. UEFA Europa League quarter-finalists in 2020/21, Dinamo are determined to make amends for last season’s play-off loss to Sheriff.
Did you know?
As Bodø/Glimt attempt to reach the group stage for the first time – and become Norway’s first representatives since 2007/08 – Dinamo’s last appearance came in 2019/20, when they beat another Norwegian team, Rosenborg, 3-1 overall in the play-offs.
Copenhagen v Trabzonspor
Trabzonspor have not played in the UEFA Champions League proper since their tournament debut in 2011/12, when they finished third in a group including Inter, CSKA Moskva and LOSC Lille. Copenhagen’s last foray into the group stage was in 2016/17, but they reached the Europa League quarter-finals in 2019/20, losing to beaten finalists Manchester United in the last eight.
Did you know?
Trabzonspor striker Andreas Cornelius came through the youth ranks at Copenhagen and scored 46 goals in 125 league appearances for the club, winning the Danish title in 2012/13, 2015/16 and 2016/17, and the European Cup. Denmark in three consecutive matches. campaigns. The striker also won Golden Boot and Player of the Year awards in 2012/13.
Rangers v PSV
Trailing 2-0 in the first leg of their third qualifying round against St Gilloise, last season’s Europa League finalists booked their place in the play-offs with a formidable 3-0 second leg win over a boisterous Ibrox . PSV, now under the management of former Dutch marksman Ruud van Nistelrooy, know that a positive result in Glasgow will be key to their ambitions of reaching the group stage.
Did you know?
Van Nistelrooy, who replaced Roger Schmidt as PSV coach this summer, scored the Dutch club’s goal from the penalty spot in their 4-1 loss to Rangers on October 20, 1999 – a game in which the current boss of Rangers Giovanni van Bronckhorst played for the Scotsman. club.
Qarabag vs Pilsen
The only Azerbaijani club to have taken part in the competition proper, Qarabağ have played alongside Chelsea, Atlético de Madrid and Roma in their only group stage campaign to date. Pilsen’s last appearance in the squad in 2018/19 was no less daunting – pitting the Czech club against Real Madrid, Roma and CSKA Moskva. Prior to those landmark seasons, these two teams met in the third qualifying round in 2016/17, with Pilsen advancing on away goals.
Did you know?
Plzeň’s Jan Sýkora scored Slovan Liberec’s first goal in the first minute of their 2-2 draw against Qarabağ on September 15, 2016. Timed at 10.69 seconds, it remains the fastest goal in the history of the UEFA Europa League.
Maccabi Haifa vs Crvena zvezda
Both teams are looking to make their third group stage appearance. Maccabi Haifa are aiming to exit the qualifying rounds for the first time since the 2009/10 season. The Israeli club beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United 3-0 in their maiden group campaign in 2002/03 but must now try to fight their way past Crvena zvezda, who finished bottom of their section there has three seasons but got a memorable 2-0. victory over eventual winners Liverpool in 2018/19.
Did you know?
Milan Pavkov, whose double triggered this victory against Liverpool, obviously did not lose his scoring touch. The 28-year-old Crvena zvezda striker has scored six goals in his first six games this season, including one in the third qualifying round second leg against Pyunik.
Dynamo Kyiv v Benfica
Despite the departure of prolific frontman Darwin Núñez, goals were certainly no problem for Roger Schmidt’s Benfica in the third qualifying round as they secured a 7-2 aggregate victory against Midtjylland. Record-breaking Ukrainian champions Dynamo needed more time to overcome Austrian side Sturm but are aiming to clinch a place in the group stage for the third consecutive campaign.
Did you know?
The teams were paired in last season’s group stage, drawing Kyiv 0-0 on matchday one – in what turned out to be Dynamo’s only Group E point – before victory 2-0 from Benfica on Matchday 6 in Lisbon, a result that sealed their place. in the round of 16 against Barcelona.
When is the group stage draw?
The 2022/23 UEFA Champions League group stage draw will take place in Istanbul, Turkey on Thursday 25 August and will be broadcast live from 18:00 CET.
When are the return matches?
Tuesday August 23
Pilsen versus Qarabağ
Crvena zvezda vs Maccabi Haifa
Benfica v Dynamo Kyiv
Wednesday August 24
Dinamo vs Bodo/Glimt
Trabzonspor v Copenhagen
PSV v Rangers
All kick-offs at 21:00 CET, unless otherwise stated.
When are the games for this season?
Group stage
Day 1: September 6-7, 2022
Day 2: September 13-14, 2022
Matchday 3: October 4-5, 2022
Matchday 4: October 11-12, 2022
Matchday 5: October 25-26, 2022
Matchday 6: November 1-2, 2022
Knockout stage
Round of 16: 14/15/21/22 February & 7/8/14/15 March 2023
Quarter-finals: 11-12 and 18-19 April 2023
Semi-finals: May 9-10 & 16-17, 2023
Final: June 10, 2023