Rangers Set to Face Dinamo Kyiv or Partizan Belgrade in Champions League Qualifiers
Rangers have discovered their opponents for the third qualifying round of the Champions League. The Scottish Premiership champions will face either Dinamo Kyiv or Partizan Belgrade for a chance to progress to the play-off stage and secure a place in the new 36-team league format.
The two-legged tie is scheduled for 6/7 August and 13 August, with Rangers playing away from home in the first leg. The play-off round draw will take place on 5 August. If Rangers fail to advance in this tie or in the play-off round, they will then enter the Europa League group stage.
Dinamo Kyiv and Partizan Belgrade are currently competing in the second qualifying round, with Dinamo hosting Partizan in the first leg on Tuesday. The return leg will be played in Serbia eight days later. Notably, Dinamo Kyiv will be playing their home match in Lublin, Poland.
Rangers are no strangers to starting their Champions League campaign in the third qualifying round. This is the fourth consecutive season where they have begun their journey from this stage of the competition. In the previous season, Rangers defeated Servette but were unable to overcome PSV Eindhoven in the play-off round. Despite this setback, they managed to reach the round of 16 in the Europa League.
Both Dinamo Kyiv and Partizan Belgrade, like Rangers, finished as runners-up in their respective leagues last season. This sets up an intriguing battle between the three clubs, all seeking redemption and a chance to make their mark on the European stage.
In addition to Rangers, Kilmarnock and St Mirren are also eagerly awaiting news of their next potential opponents in European competition. The draw will determine who they will face as they aim to progress further in their respective tournaments.
The upcoming clash between Rangers and either Dinamo Kyiv or Partizan Belgrade promises to be a thrilling encounter. With a place in the prestigious Champions League at stake, both teams will be eager to showcase their abilities and secure a spot in the highly anticipated 36-team league format. Football fans can look forward to an exciting showdown as these top-tier clubs battle it out for European glory.