Liverpool and Arsenal will be hoping to avoid Spartak Moscow in the qualifying stage of the Champions League
Arsenal or Liverpool have featured in each of the past three Champions League finals, but must take the long way round if they are to preserve English footballÂ’s recent good record in the competition by reaching next yearÂ’s final in Moscow. The past two seasonÂ’s beaten finalists take their place in todayÂ’s third qualifying round draw in Nyon, Switzerland, alongside such luminaries as FC Pyunik of Armenia and Tampere United of Finland, either of whom they would be happy to face in the two-legged ties scheduled to take place on August 14-15 and August 28-29. Such European footballing heavyweights as Valencia, Lazio and Seville, the Uefa Cup holders, are also in a draw that contains five former winners of the trophy, but both English clubs are protected by being among the 16 seeds, which also prevents them being drawn against each other. Celtic are also seeded and Rangers will be, too, should they complete an expected second qualifying round victory over FK Zeta, of Montenegro, whom they beat 2-0 at Ibrox in the first leg. The draw, which will take place at 11am, is complicated by the fact that five of the seeds and nine of the nonseeds will come from second qualifying round ties that will be completed next week.
Although Arsenal and Liverpool will have genuine designs on reaching the Russian capital, neither will want to do so this month, with Spartak Moscow perhaps the most dangerous potential opponents in the draw. Liverpool have suffered from starting slowly in recent seasons, but they would have to be up to speed against the Russians, who are top of their domestic league after 18 matches. Arsenal were beaten in Moscow by CSKA in last season’s group phase. Arsène Wenger has not won in Russia in 11 years at the club, with Spartak beating them 4-1 at home in a Champions League group match in November 2000.
There is a strong chance of both clubs being forced to revisit familiar journeys, with Arsenal surely hoping for another tie against Sparta Prague. WengerÂ’s side have won all four of their meetings with the Czech Republic club and completed a Champions League double over them on their way to the final two seasons ago. Thierry Henry broke the clubÂ’s goalscoring record in the away game. A reunion with Salzburg, who beat Arsenal in a friendly during this seasonÂ’s Austrian training camp, would also hold few fears.
Liverpool could return to the scene of either of their Champions League final appearances in the past three years, given that the non-seeds feature AEK Athens and Fenerbahçe, of Istanbul, while Dynamo Bucharest, Tou-louse and FC Zurich are also potential opponents.
Although beginning a Champions League campaign only a few days after the start of the Barclays Premier League season is an unwanted inconvenience, Liverpool know it could be even worse after being forced to enter at the first qualifying round stage two years ago when they met TNS, the Welsh club, on July 13, seven weeks after lifting the trophy in Istanbul.
Any club beaten in the third qualifying round have the consolation of entry into the first round of the Uefa Cup, with the draw for the second qualifying round taking place today. Blackburn Rovers take their place after qualifying via the Intertoto Cup and will hope to join Bolton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton in the first round next month.