Europa League draw

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Scottish Premier League champions Rangers have been drawn against Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon in the last 32 of the Europa League.

High-flying Manchester City, who are third in the Premier League, will travel to Greece to play Aris Salonika for the first leg.

Aris beat Atletico Madrid in the Spanish capital with a 3-2 away win, a result which knocked the holders out.

Liverpool visit the Czech Republic capital to play Sparta Prague.

Roy Hodgson's side drew four of their six group games while Czech Republic champions Sparta have drawn three of their group matches.

If all three teams progressed to the last 16, then City would face Besiktas or Dynamo Kiev, Liverpool would face Lech Poznan or Braga while Rangers would take on either Lille or PSV Eindhoven.

Like City, Aris are managed by another former Inter Milan manager in Hector Cuper and are currently in fifth place in the Greek Super League.

The Argentine has extensive experience in Europe, having previously managed Mallorca, Valencia, Real Betis and Parma.

However, City are among the form teams in England, unbeaten in nine matches and third in the Premier League.

"They have a very experienced coach who has done very well in Europe with Valencia and Inter Milan," said City's football administrator Brian Marwood told BBC Radio 5 live.

"But we feel we have a very strong group of players. The aim was to do well both domestically and in Europe and the squad is developing game-by-game and the balance is getting better."

Other intriguing ties include Seville against Porto, who between them have won three of the five Uefa Cup finals between 2003 and 2007 while Ajax take on Belgium neighbours Anderlecht

All first legs take will be played on 7 February with the return games taking place a week later, while the last 16 is scheduled for March 10 and 17.

Full Europa League draw:

Napoli v Villarreal
Rangers v Sporting
Sparta Prague v Liverpool
Anderlecht v Ajax
Lech Poznan v Braga
Besiktas v Dynamo Kiev
Basle v Spartak Moscow
Young Boys v Zenit St Petersburg
Aris Salonika v Man City
PAOK Salonika v CSKA Moscow
Sevilla v FC Porto
Rubin Kazan v FC Twente
Lille v PSV
Benfica v VfB Stuttgart
ATE v PSG
FC Metalist Kharkiv v Bayer Leverkusen
 
Good enough draws for the british clubs,if the Gers get through against Sporting they will play the winner of Lille v PSV.
 
Sparta Prague is good draw. Liverpool players need to step up a gear though.
 
I'm sure the Rangers players will be up for this one due to the Sporting Lisbon strip. ;)
 
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