Monaco: Bundesliga side RB Leipzig and Austrian outfit Salzburg, both closely identified with the Red Bull energy drink brand, will meet for the first time in competitive matches after being drawn in same Europa League group on Friday.
Seven-times European champions AC Milan, who won an appeal against a decision to kick them out of the competition for breaking Uefa’s break even rule, will meet Olympiakos and Real Betis as well as surprise package FC Dudelange from Luxembourg.
Leipzig and Salzburg were paired in Group B of Europe’s second-string club competition alongside Scottish champions Celtic and Norwegian side Trondheim.
European football body Uefa said last year that it was satisfied that Red Bull does not have a controlling influence in both clubs, who wear their corporate colours and are closely identified with the energy drinks manufacturer.
English Premier League side Arsenal were handed a logistical challenge when they were pitted against Ukraine’s Vorskla Poltava and Azeri side Qarabag as well as Portugal’s Sporting in Group E.
Chelsea will also have some travelling to do after they drew Belarus side BATE Borisov, Hungarians Vidi and Greek side PAOK in Group L.
