UEL draw: Giroud returns to Belgrade, as Forest face ex-Mourinho's side in potential spectacle

It's not unheard of for two clubs to meet more than once in the same European season.

But what happened at today's Europa League play-off draw feels… unprecedented.

Because the Hungarian side Ferencvaros and the Bulgarian team Ludogorets are about to face each other for the third time this season!

First came the Champions League qualifiers, where the Hungarian champions knocked out Ludogorets with a 3-0 win, followed by a 0-0 draw. Then they met again in the Europa League group stage - and once more, Ferencvaros were convincing, winning 3-1. And now? The draw has paired them again in the play-offs.

At least this time, we know who the favourite is.

Especially since Ferencvaros also eliminated Ludogorets back in 2019, in the first round of Champions League qualifying. History, clearly, has a sense of humour.

And the Hungarian-Bulgarian reunion wasn't even the only case of deja vu.

In fact, today's draw - dare we say it - was a bit repetitive. Out of the eight ties pulled, teams in five of them have already crossed paths this season.

Lille, led by Olivier Giroud, face Red Star Belgrade again after losing 1-0 in the league phase.

UEL: Giroud's woeful Lille crumble in Belgrade, Forest disappoint again

Brann and Bologna played out a goalless draw earlier - now they go again.

The same goes for Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzen, the only unbeaten team in the competition so far, who previously shared a 0-0 draw in Athens.

And Celta Vigo, who beat PAOK 3-1 in the main phase, now meet the Greeks once more - this time with a play-off spot on the line.

If all that sounded a bit the same, don't worry - the draw did save its best moments for last.

The monotony was broken by two standout clashes.

The headline act is undoubtedly Fenerbahce vs Nottingham Forest, while Celtic vs Stuttgart promises plenty of footballing intrigue just a notch below.

Same teams, new stakes. Europe, apparently, likes sequels.