The draw for the last 32 of the Europa League has been made with Ajax facing a tough task against Austrians Red Bull Salzburg, while AZ Alkmaar draw Czech’s Slovan Liberec.
- By Michael Bell
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Ajax will start at the Amsterdam Arena against Red Bull Salzburg on the 20th of February, before traveling to Austria a week later for the return leg.
The Eredivisie champions drop into the Europa League after finishing third in their Champions League group, and will fancy going a long way in this competition. However Red Bull Salzburg are Austrian Champions, and have lost only two of their last 26 ties in all competitions.
Salzburg breezed through their Europa League group without losing a tie against Esbjerg, Standard Liege or Elfsborg, and are currently eleven points clear in the Austrian Bundesliga.
Whoever comes out on top between Ajax and Salzburg will then face either Maccabi Tel Aviv or Basel in the next round.
AZ Alkmaar have been given a favourable tie after winning their Europa League group, and will face Slovan Liberec. The tie starts in Czechoslovakia before returning to Alkmaar the week after.
Liberec finished second in their group to Sevilla, but are currently on a winter break in the league, where they sit 6th. The tie at home to AZ will actually be their first fixture after almost two months off.
If AZ can see off Liberec they will face either Russian side Anzhi or Belgians Genk in the last 16.
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