Barcelona will face Napoli in the Europa League knockout round play-off stage after the Catalan giants crashed out in the Champions League group stage for the first time since the 2000-01 season.
Xavi Hernandez’s Barca will continue their European campaign in the second-tier competition, with the winner of their tie with Napoli advancing to the last 16.
The draw for the play-off round, introduced this season as part of a slimmed-down Europa League format, includes the eight runners-up from the group stage and the eight third-placed teams from the Champions League.
Borussia Dortmund were paired together with Rangers in Monday’s draw, while record six-time winners Sevilla take on Dinamo Zagreb.
Porto will play Lazio and RB Leipzig were drawn alongside Real Sociedad. The first legs will take place on February 17 and the return matches on February 24.
The eight Europa League group winners qualified directly for the round of 16. West Ham United, Monaco, Lyon and Bayer Leverkusen are among those teams.
“I’d say that our glass is completely full: Barcelona v Napoli and then Napoli v Barcelona will be two great matches at Champions League level!” tweeted Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis.
Napoli and Barca met in the last 16 of the 2019-20 Champions League, with Barca advancing 4-2 on aggregate.
The away goals rule has been removed from this season’s European competitions, so ties level after 180 minutes will go to extra time, and then penalties if needed.
UEFA Europa League knockout round play-off match-ups following Monday’s draw:
Sevilla (ESP) v Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)
Atalanta (ITA) v Olympiakos (GRE)
RB Leipzig (GER) v Real Sociedad (ESP)
Barcelona (ESP) v Napoli (ITA)
Zenit Saint Petersburg (RUS) v Real Betis (ESP)
Borussia Dortmund (GER) v Rangers (SCO)
Sheriff Tiraspol (MDA) v Braga (POR)
Porto (POR) v Lazio (ITA)
First legs to be played on February 17 and second legs on February 24
Winners advance to round of 16
Meanwhile Leicester City will meet Danish club Randers in the Europa Conference League knockout round play-offs, while Celtic were pitted against Norwegians Bodo/Glimt in Monday’s draw.
Tottenham Hotspur could play Rapid Vienna depending on the outcome of their final group-stage game against Rennes, which was cancelled last week after a coronavirus outbreak in the Spurs squad.
UEFA has said the match will not be rescheduled. Its disciplinary body will determine a result for the scrapped fixture.
Tottenham trail second-placed Vitesse Arnhem by three points in Group G but have the head-to-head advantage over the Dutch club.
Marseille face Qarabag of Azerbaijan and PSV Eindhoven will play Maccabi Tel-Aviv in other ties, which feature the group runners-up of the new competition against the eight third-placed teams dropping down from the Europa League.
The winners of the fixtures played over two legs on February 17 and 24 advance to the last 16, where they will be drawn against the eight Europa Conference League group winners.
UEFA Europa Conference League knockout round play-off match-ups following Monday’s draw:
Marseille (FRA) v Qarabag (AZE)
PSV Eindhoven (NED) v Maccabi Tel-Aviv (ISR)
Fenerbahce (TUR) v Slavia Prague (CZE)
Midtjylland (DEN) v PAOK (GRE)
Leicester City (ENG) v Randers (DEN)
Celtic (SCO) v Bodo/Glimt (NOR)
Sparta Prague (CZE) v Partizan Belgrade (SRB)
Rapid Vienna (AUT) v Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) or Vitesse Arnhem (NED)
First legs to be played on February 17 and second legs on February 24
Winners advance to round of 16
