Maccabi Tel Aviv Faces Tough Draw Options in Europa League Third Qualifying Round

Maccabi Tel Aviv is preparing for the third qualifying round draw of the UEFA Europa League, with the club facing several challenging potential opponents. UEFA released the official narrowed list of possible rivals for the Israeli cup holders, setting the stage for intriguing matchups on their path to the group stage of Europe's second-tier club competition.

If Maccabi Tel Aviv advances past Sheriff Tiraspol, they could face one of three possible opponents. The first option is the winner between Benfica, a former European champion, and Swiss club St. Gallen. The second possibility is the victor of the tie between Dutch side Twente, known for their attacking and fast-paced football, and Hungarian club Ferencváros, coached by Gabi Kanichovsky, a team familiar to Israeli football with extensive recent European experience. The third potential opponent is the winner of the match between Azerbaijan's Qarabağ, who play under challenging conditions at home, and Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia.

These matchups present a mix of difficult and more manageable challenges for Maccabi Tel Aviv as they aim to reach the Europa League group stage. The club and its coach, Kenny Melior, are on high alert ahead of the draw, which will determine their next European adversary.