vs
vs
Sparta will face Rangers, Betis and Limassol
Just a few hours after 4-1 victory at home against Zagreb, the draw for the group stage of UEFA Europa League took place in Monaco. Sparta was placed in the third pot, and it was clear from the start that we will play attractive matchups. The draw assigned us to Group C alongside Scottish Rangers, Spanish Betis Sevilla, and Limassol from Cyprus.
After two years, we'll have a rematch with Rangers in the Europa League group stage. In 2021, Sparta won 1-0 at Letná, but suffered a 0-2 defeat in Glasgow and Rangers got through from the group. This season, Rangers have got six points in three league games and currently are at the fourth place in their league. They were eliminated from the Champions League qualification by Dutch PSV. In the previous season, Rangers competed in the Champions League group stage, finishing fourth behind Napoli, Liverpool, and Ajax. They finished second in their domestic league after Celtic.
Betis, on the other hand, has played three La Liga matches this season with four points and they are at the ninth place. Last season, they reached the Europa League round of 16, where they were eliminated by Manchester United. In the Spanish league, Betis finished sixth. Sparta faced Real Betis in 2008 during a winter training camp. We won 1-0 thanks to Ludovic Sylvestre's goal.
From the fourth pot, the draw assigned Aris Limassol to Sparta, the Cyprus champions from the previous season, who have earned six points from their first two league matches, only because of goal difference. During the Champions League qualification this summer, Limassol eliminated Belarusian BATE but was subsequently eliminated by Raków. In the Europa League play-offs,Limassol eliminated Slovan Bratislava.
Matchday One: Thursday, September 21, 9.00 PM
AC Sparta Praha vs Aris Limassol
Matchday Two: Thursday, October 5, 6.45 PM
Real Betis Balompié vs AC Sparta Praha
Matchday Three: Thursday, October 26, 6.45 PM
AC Sparta Praha vs Rangers FC
Matchday Four: Thursday, November 9, 9.00 PM
Rangers FC vs AC Sparta Praha
Matchday Five: Thursday, November 30, 6.45 PM
AC Sparta Praha vs Real Betis Balompié
Matchday Six: Thursday, December 14, 9.00 PM
Aris Limassol vs AC Sparta Praha