BARCELONA have been given an uphill battle to reach the round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League.
The struggling Spanish giants, who dropped out of the UEFA Champions League after finishing third in their group, will face Napoli in the Europa League playoffs.
Napoli, who finished second in their Europa League group to Victor Moses’ Spartak Moscow, should have Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen back from injury before the tie, billed for mid-February.
In another playoff tie involving Nigerian stars, Rangers will be confronting Borussia Dortmund.
The Scottish Premiership champions are home to three Super Eagles players in Leon Balogun, Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey.
Serie A side Atalanta, who came third in their Champions League group behind Manchester United and Villarreal, will battle Olympiacos, whom Nigeria forward Henry Onyekuru plays for.
Germany’s RB Leipzig will face Spain’s Real Sociedad in another top tie, while Super Eagles left-back Zaidu Sanusi’s Porto play Lazio.
The first legs of the ties are scheduled for 17 February, with the second legs a week later.
The winners of the ties will join Europa League group winners in the round of 16.
EUROPA LEAGUE KNOCKOUT ROUND DRAW:
Sevilla vs Dinamo Zagreb
Atalanta vs Olympiacos
RB Leipzig vs Real Sociedad
Barcelona vs Napoli
Zenit vs Real Betis
Dortmund vs Rangers
Sheriff vs Braga
Porto vs Lazio
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