Feyenoord knows which clubs it will meet in the group stage of the Europa League. The draw, which was held on Friday afternoon in Istanbul, Turkey, linked the Rotterdam team to SS Lazio, Midtjylland and Sturm Graz. Feyenoord was in Pot 2 and has had a strong opponent from Pot 1 with Lazio.
Unlike last year in the Conference League, the Stadium Club did not have to play any preliminary rounds to end up in a main tournament. Due to last year’s final place, Feyenoord now flows directly into the group stage and can try a step higher this season. In the second European club tournament, matches against Lazio, Midtjylland and Sturm Graz await.
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???? @SKSturm#UELdraw pic.twitter.com/8zGFhtQsVT— Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) August 26, 2022
The meeting with Lazio is spicy, since Feyenoord lost to the other club from Rome in the final of the Conference League last year and the last visit of Rotterdam fans to the Italian capital caused a lot of fuss. The Danish Midtjylland finished second in the competition last year, three points behind champions Copenhagen. Sturm Graz also finished second in the competition, which is great, as RB Salzburg dominates in Austria. Sturm Graz was therefore ‘best of the rest’.
Due to the World Cup in November and December, the group stage of the Europa League is being completed at a rapid pace. The first round is already scheduled for Thursday, September 8, followed by games on September 15, October 6, October 13, October 27 and November 3. Those are all Thursdays. The draw for the intermediate round will take place on November 7, and the numbers two of the Europa League groups will be involved. If Feyenoord becomes first, the Rotterdam club will only know where it stands in February.