Road to the Champions League defined: possible opponents in the 3rd qualifying round

After the end of the Czech league, there is more certainty in the patch that Benfica will have to go through with the objective of entering the 2018/19 Champions League group stage. Slavia Praha, the national vice-champions, joins the group of possible opponents of the Eagles in the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions League.

In face of the current European coefficient, Fenerbahçe (Turkey), Spartak Moscow (Russia), Standard Liège (Belgium) and Slavia Praha ( The Czech Republic) are guaranteed as Benfica's potential opponents in the 3rd qualifying round, whose matches will take place on August 7/8 (first leg) and August 14 (second leg ).

Sturm Graz (Austria), who begins in the 2nd qualifying round besides Basel (Switzerland), Ajax (Holland) and PAOK (Greece), is another potential rival of the eagles.

BENFICA'S POSSIBLE OPPONENTS IN THE 3RD QUALIFYING ROUND

• Fenerbahçe (Turkey)

• Spartak Moscow (Russia)

• Standard Liège (Belgium)

• Slavia Praha (The Czech Republic )

• Sturm Graz (Áustria)

In case of a win in the 2nd qualifying round, Sturm Graz pushes Fenerbahçe to the group o seeded teams in the 3rd qualifying round (where Benfica is already) and consequently takes the spot of the Turkish between the possible opponents of the eagles. The 2nd qualifying round draw is scheduled for June 19, in Nyon. 

2nd QUALIFYING ROUND FOR THE NON-CHAMPIONS

Basel, Ajax and PAOK have better European coefficient than Fenerbahçe, the best placed among the unseeded teams in the 3rd qualifying round, the reason why any of those emblems, overcoming the 2nd qualifying round, will be included in the group of the seeded teams, alongside Benfica and Dynamo Kyiv.

3rd QUALIFYING ROUND FOR THE NON-CHAMPIONS

* Team that begins in the 2nd qualifying round.

The 3rd qualifying round draw of the Champions League is scheduled for July 23, in Nyon, at the UEFA headquarters.

Qualifying to the play-off, Benfica will play the first leg on August 21/22 and the second leg on August 28/29.

Text: João Sanches

Pics: Archive / SL Benfica