Champions League Draw

Sampdoria will face German club Werder Bremen in the Champion League play-off round. The first leg is away in Germany on August 17 or 18  and the return leg is at home on August 24 or 25.  The winners will play in the Champions League group stage. The losers of the tie will enter the Europa League.

Samp have played six times against German clubs in European competition, winning twice, drawing three times and losing only once. Werder have met Italian opposition 26 times with nine victories, 11 draws and six defeats.  Bremen captain Torsten Frings is looking forward to the clash. “It’s a tough, but good draw,” he said. “Duels between German and Italian clubs are practically classics.”

German international defender Per Mertesacker added: “That is certainly not an easy task. When a team comes fourth in Italy and finishes ahead of Juventus in the league, then that says something.”

JC