Dundalk were drawn against the 16th highest ranked club in Europe in yesterday’s Europa League draw as they were pitted against Zenit St Petersburg, but there would still have been some disappointment that they failed to secure a date with one of the star clubs on offer.
Manchester United, Ajax, Villareal and Inter Milan all may be below Zenit when it comes to the co-efficient, but Dundalk officials would have surely prepared a date with one of those heavyweights.
It’s a trip to Russia though for Stephen Kenny’s side and that ensures that they will face two long-haul trips as they were also drawn against Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv with AZ Alkmaar from the Netherlands completing Group D.
Dundalk’s first outing on September 15 will see the side travel to face AZ with home matches against their Israeli and Russian opponents following.
Round four will see them travelling to Zenit before AZ visit with Stephen Kenny’s side finishing out with a trip to Tel Aviv.
Dundalk are only the second League of Ireland side to reach the Europa League group stages after Shamrocks Rovers. The Dublin side competed in the 2011/12 tournament but failed to pick up a point.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, intends to treat the Europa League with the respect it deserves.
The Red Devils were handed a trip into the unknown after being drawn against Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk in the Europa League.
However, they will also come up against familiar faces at Fenerbahce, who have former United striker Robin van Persie and ex-Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel in their ranks, while Dutch opponents Feyenoord also have former Liverpool men in forward Dirk Kuyt and goalkeeper Brad Jones.
“There are groups in the Champions League that are very similar, so it is good for that,” Mourinho said.
“We all know the competition is not the same as the Champions League but to have Manchester United playing against clubs with tradition like Fenerbahce and Feyenoord is good for us.
“I don’t have more vision about Ukraine. We know that it will be a difficult group, but I think that is a good thing.
“If you have teams without expression then even the fans may not enjoy Thursday nights at Old Trafford.
“It is good for the fans and for the players because it will help motivation.”
Europa League debutants Zorya – who reached the play-offs in the last two years but failed to progress – are based in the east of the country close to the border with Russia.
However, because of the war in that part of the country United are set to play at the Slavutych Arena in Zaporizhia, which is more centrally located.
Southampton have a glamour tie against Inter Milan and have also been drawn against Sparta Prague and Israel’s Hapoel Be’er Sheva, who gave Celtic a scare in their Champions League qualifier.
Southampton’s executive director of football Les Reed said they were relishing matches against some of Europe’s historic clubs.
“It’s a very exciting draw for everyone involved at the football club,” he said.
“There are some big challenges for us, with a big giant in Inter Milan.
“I’m sure everyone will look forward to that home and away, but the other two games will also be great tests for us with excellent atmospheres.”
EUROPA LEAGUE GROUPS
Group A: Man Utd, Fenerbahce, Feyenoord, Zorya Luhansk
Group B: Olympiacos, Apoel Nicosia, Young Boys, Astana
Group C: Anderlecht, St Etienne, Mainz, Qabala
Group D: Zenit St Petersburg, AZ Alkmaar, Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Dundalk
Group E: Plzen, Roma, Austria Vienna, FC Astra Giurgiu
Group F: Athletic Bilbao, Genk, Rapid Vienna, Sassuolo
Group G: Ajax, Standard Liege, Celta Vigo, Panathinaikos
Group H: Shakhtar Donetsk, Braga, Gent, Konyaspor
Group I: Schalke 04, FC Red Bull Salzburg, Krasnodar, Nice
Group J: Fiorentina, PAOK Salonika, Liberec, Qarabag
Group K: Inter Milan, Sparta Prague, Southampton, Hapoel Beer Sheva
Group L: Villarreal, Steaua Bucharest, FC Zurich, Osmanlispor
