Bayern face Zurich, Arsenal draw UdineseFC Bayern Munchen were among the 20 teams in the UEFA Champions League play-off draw today and will face FC Zurich as they begin their attempt to reach the final on home soil.
Byrne backing Shamrock Rovers to shine at FCK
Ex-Shamrock Rovers FC player and manager Pat Byrne says the Hoops have "nothing to lose" against one of last season's surprises, FC Kobenhavn, in the third qualifying round.
FC Bayern Munchen will play FC Zurich and Arsenal FC face Udinese Calcio after the draw for the UEFA Champions League play-off round was conducted in Nyon.
With the final to be played at their Fusball Arena Munchen home on Saturday 19 May 2012, Bayern will have an extra motivation when they take on the Swiss club for a place in the group stage.
Runners-up in 2006, Arsenal take on Udinese, while Odense BK − the only team in the league route without prior group stage experience − tackle Villarreal CF.
In the champions route, their fellow Danes FC Kobenhavn take on Czech debutants FC Viktoria Plzeň looking to build on last season's impressive campaign, when they reached the last 16.
The first legs will be played on 16/17 August and the returns a week later. The ten winners will join the 22 automatic entrants in the UEFA Champions League group stage, the draw for which is held in Monaco at 17.45CET on Thursday 25 August. The losers will take part in the UEFA Europa League group stage.
UEFA Champions League play-off round
Champions routeWisła Krakow (POL) v APOEL FC (CYP)
Macabi Haifa FC (ISR) v KRC Genk (BEL)
NK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) v Malmo FF (SWE)
FC Kobenhavn (DEN) v FC Viktoria Plzeň (CZE)
FC BATE Borisov (BLR) v SK Sturm Graz (AUT)
League routeOdense BK (DEN) v Villarreal CF (ESP)
FC Twente (NED) v SL Benfica (POR)
Arsenal FC (ENG) v Udinese Calcio (ITA)
FC Bayern Munchen (GER) v FC Zurich (SUI)
Olympique Lyonnais (FRA) v FC Rubin Kazan (RUS)
http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1656431.html#bayern+face+zurich+arsenal+draw+udinese
