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Rangers to face Haaland and Bellingham in EL, while two of Maradona's ex-clubs clash

talksport.com, 13 December 2021, 12:52
Rangers have been handed a massive test in their next Europa League clash having been drawn against Borussia Dortmund.

The likes of Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham are set to line-up against the Scottish champions after Dortmund dropped out of the Champions League and Gers came second in their Europa League group.

The tie also sees Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst cross paths with Gio Reyna - the Dortmund youngster is understood to have been named after the Dutchman.

By virtue of coming top of their group, West Ham go straight into the last-16 of the competition and will learn their fate after the play-off ties are completed.

As well as Rangers vs Dortmund, there's a mouth-watering play-off tie as Barcelona, who came third in their Champions League group, take on Napoli, who dumped Leicester out of the competition.

The tie may well be dubbed the 'Diego Maradona derby' with the Argentine legend playing for both sides during his glittering career.

Maradona won three trophies in his time at Barca, however, he was sold by Terry Venables in the summer of 1984 with his final appearance marred by a mass on-pitch brawl during the Copa del Rey final.

He joined a Napoli side used to mediocrity but dragged them to the Serie A title in his third season there. They won the Scudetto again in 1990, as well as the UEFA Cup in 1988/89.

Elsewhere, RB Leipzig will play against Real Sociedad and Porto take on Lazio.

Below you can see the Europa League knockout round play-off draw in full. The matches for the ties will be played on February 17 and 24.

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