Caltex Socceroos defender Trent Sainsbury is set to take on some of the biggest clubs in Europe after the draw for the UEFA Champions League on Friday morning (AEST), including Lionel Messi’s Barcelona.
In a hugely tricky draw for the Dutch champions, PSV have been pitted against Barca, EPL powerhouses Tottenham and Italian giants Inter Milan.
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It means Sainsbury, who joined PSV from Chinese club Jiangsu Suning in the off season, will come up against some of the best attackers in world football.
Barca boasts the likes of Messi and Uruguayan star Luis Suarez, Spurs has England skipper Harry Kane while his former club Inter is led by Argentine Mauro Icardi.
PSV open their group stage at the Nou Camp in Barcelona on Wednesday, September 19 (AEST).
Meanwhile, fellow Australian defender Milos Degenek will also take on some of Europe’s most powerful clubs, with his Red Star Belgrade in Group C alongside PSG, Napoli and Liverpool.
Degenek was Red Star’s hero on Thursday (AEST), setting up both goals as they drew 2-2 in Austria to advance to the UCL group stage on the away goals rule over Red Bull Salzburg.
It will be the Serbian club’s first appearance in the competition since the 1991/92 season.
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And Degenek will take on some deadly attacking players, including Neymar, Kylian Mbappe (both PSG), Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino (both Liverpool) and Napoli pair Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne.
Red Star’s campaign begins with a home clash against Italian outfit Napoli on Wednesday, September 19 (AEST).
