Standard Liege (Gooch) vs. Celta Vigo RB Salzburg vs. Blackburn (Friedel) Victoria Setubal vs. Heerenveen (Rogers & Bradley) West Ham (Spector) vs. Palermo
Yes, 40 teams make it through these first-round series, and then there are 8 groups of 5 teams each. Looks like it might be a tough draw for Gooch and Standard against Celta Vigo.
But rogers and bradley look to be in a good spot. Watched RB Salzburg last weekend, and not a great team, either.
Not a great team but they do have great manager in Trapattoni who can put a good game plan in place even if the talent level isn't that high.
A great coach/manager in the past maybe, but he's been poor lately. Stuttgart played some awful football under him last season (with a good squad on paper). I'm curious what Trap and Loddar can achieve with RB.
I know RB has money, but they don't have the glamor of a prem club, and don't attract the depth of talent (even) a blackburn can call upon. IMO, Stuttgart was loaded, by comparison.