Chelsea to face Dynamo Kiev, Arsenal to meet Rennes
Arsenal will face French side Rennes in the last 16 of the Europa League, while Chelsea were paired with Dynamo Kiev in Friday's draw. Both Premier League clubs will be at home in the first leg on Thursday, March 7, with the return matches scheduled for March 14. The final of this season's Europa League will be played in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, on May 29.
- Sports
- AP
- Published Date: 04:25 | 22 February 2019
- Modified Date: 04:25 | 22 February 2019
Chelsea has been drawn to face Dynamo Kiev in the last 16 of the Europa League, and Arsenal will play French club Rennes.
Both London clubs are currently outside the top four in the Premier League, so the Champions League place awarded to the Europa League winner could be the best chance for them to return to the elite competition.
Chelsea won the Europa League in 2013 but has recently dropped to sixth in the Premier League and was knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United on Monday.
In another blow, Chelsea was banned by FIFA on Friday from signing players until the 2020 offseason transfer window for breaching rules covering youngsters.
Also in Friday's draw, five-time champion Sevilla was drawn to meet Slavia Prague.
In other matchups, it's: Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Inter Milan; Dinamo Zagreb vs. Benfica; Napoli vs. Salzburg; Valencia vs. Krasnodar; and Zenit St. Petersburg vs. Villarreal.
The first legs will be played on March 7 and the return games on March 14.
The final is set for May 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.