Third qualifying round, fixtures (26/27th of July, 2nd/3rd of August):
Champions Route
Rosenborg v APOEL
Zagreb v Tbilisi
Olympiacos v Hapoel Be'er Sheva
Astana v Celtic
Trencin v Legia
Plzen v Qarabag
Astra Giurgiu v Copenhagen
BATE v Dundalk
Ludogorets v Red Star Belgrade
Tirana v RB Salzburg
League Route
Ajax v PAOK
Sparta Prague v Steaua
Shakthar v YB Bern
Rostov v Anderlecht
Fenerbahce v Monaco
I don't remember watching any Astana games last year but they beat APOEL to qualify and then actually drew 4 games in their group (Atletico, Benfica & Galatasaray) which is not so bad.
I will say that their central midfield looks strong. Maksimovic was a key player on Serbia's U20 World Cup winners. For an example he kept Grujic on the bench. He has quite a lot of hype right now with some observers raving about him. He is rumored to be close to Lyon, maybe replacing Tolisso?
I liked that he kept showing up as one of the best players in a particular number's context when I looked and sorted individual stats in European competition last season.
Canas his Colombian midfield partner also seems good but apparently his one kidney has been limiting his career prospects.
Just noticed they have 2 teams in the qualifiers, ffs they are Asians (only 10% of the country is in Europe) and should be nowhere near the comp never mind getting 2 places.
Glubb's ex-coach is at Anderlecht now, so I wish them gl at least.
Didn't this use to be three rounds before? I was wondering where Gladbach is but they are awaiting their draw after this round of course. Friend commented on a game vs. 60 at Tegernsee recently and said they looked really good considering they were putting on a b-team mostly.