APOEL and Celtic among possible Champions League opponents for AEK
 

Following the UEFA Champions League draw for the first and second qualifying rounds, the potential opponents for AEK Athens in the third phase have become known, with APOEL, Salzburg and Celtic among them.

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As Greek champions, AEK will enter the 2018/2019 Champions League in the third qualifying stage, competing in the Champions Route and eligible to play against other teams which won their domestic leagues. On Tuesday, the draw was made for the first and second phases of qualifying, in turn shaping a picture of who AEK could play in August.

APOEL Nicosia, the Cypriot champions, begin their Champions League journey in the first round against Lithuania’s Suduva and will probably play Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade in the next stage, but if they qualify for the third phase, they will be among AEK’s possible opponents. 

Two of the teams for AEK to avoid are Salzburg and Celtic. Last season, Salzburg were unlucky to lose in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals to Marseille, while Celtic regularly compete in Europe and boast plenty of experience. 

Let’s take a look at the teams which AEK could face in the Champions League third qualifying round:

1. Salzburg (AUT).
2. Winner of Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL) - Crusaders (NIR) versus winner of F91 Dudelange (LUX) - Videoton (HUN).
3. Winner of Astana (KAZ) - Sutjeska (MNE) versus Midtjylland (DEN).
4. Winner of Spartaks Jurmala (LAT) - Red Star (SRB) versus winner of Suduva (LTU) - APOEL (CYP).
5. Winner of Cork City (IRL) - Legia Warszawa (POL) versus winner of Spartak Trnava (SVK) - Zrinjski (BIH).
6. Winner of Alashkert (ARM) - Celtic (SCO) versus winner of Valur Reykjavik (ISL) - Rosenborg (NOR).

The first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round is scheduled to take place on either the 7th or 8th of August, before the return is held a week later.
 

by Shaun Nicolaides

Image Source: sdna.gr

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