Europa League draw: Marseille and Lyon to meet Leverkusen, Rennes drawn against Juventus
French clubs Marseille and Lyon avoided an early meeting with Italian giants in Friday's Europa League draw, while Ligue 1 side Rennes was handed a tough away trip to face Juventus in Turin.
Friday's Europa League draw spared French clubs Marseille and Lyon from facing Italian heavyweights Juventus and AC Milan, but fellow Ligue 1 side Rennes was drawn against Juventus for an away fixture in Turin.
Olympique Lyonnais, who missed out on Champions League qualification after a play-off defeat to Fenerbahçe on Wednesday, will face their former coach Pierre Sage's Crystal Palace and host Bayer Leverkusen this season. Lyon will travel to Real Sociedad, Anderlecht, Hoffenheim and Jagiellonia, while hosting Union Saint-Gilloise and Norway's Lillestrøm at home.
Marseille will host Olympiacos, Anderlecht, Celta Vigo and Levski Sofia, and travel to Leverkusen, Celtic Glasgow, Sturm Graz and Besiktas.
Rennes, returning to European competition after a two-year absence, were placed in Pot 2 and drew a difficult tie against Juventus. They will also face Olympiacos, Dinamo Zagreb, Sparta Prague, Omonia Nicosia, Sturm Graz, OFI Crete and NEC Nijmegen.
The first round of matches is set for September 16-17, with the final scheduled for Frankfurt on 26 May 2027. Last season's title went to Aston Villa, who beat Freiburg in the final.
Two English clubs to meet Milan
Premier League newcomers Bournemouth are entering continental competition for the first time after finishing sixth last season, and will host seven-time European champions Milan. Marco Rose's side will also host Viktoria Plzen, Sturm Graz and Israeli champions Hapoel Be'er Sheva at home, while travelling to Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo, Sparta Prague and Lillestrøm.
Sunderland, who secured their first European football since 1973 after finishing seventh in the Premier League last season, will travel to Milan's San Siro, as well as to Anderlecht and Torreense, the Portuguese second-division side who caused a shock by winning last season's domestic cup. At home, Sunderland will host AZ Alkmaar, Dinamo Zagreb and Levski Sofia, and will also face two Polish clubs, Jagiellonia Bialystok and Lech Poznan.
Crystal Palace, last season's Conference League winners, were seeded in Pot 3. Pierre Sage's side will host Real Sociedad, Sparta Prague, Lech Poznan and Hoffenheim, and travel to Lyon, Salzburg, Jagiellonia and Besiktas.
