The UEFA Europa League group stage draw threw up several intriguing match-ups with 2010 winners Club Atlético de Madrid taking on Udinese Calcio and Stade Rennais FC in Group I, and Tottenham Hotspur FC meeting FC Rubin Kazan and surprise package Shamrock Rovers FC in Group A.
Friday's draw, which took place in Monaco, split 48 teams into 12 groups with other highlights including the pairing of Paris Saint-Germain FC and Athletic Club, and 2011 runners-up SC Braga facing Club Brugge KV, English second-tier club Birmingham City FC and NK Maribor.
FC Steaua Bucureşti will come up against FC Schalke 04, Maccabi Haifa FC and AEK Larnaca FC while the other side trying to reach the 2012 final in their home city, FC Rapid Bucureşti, must negotiate 1978 UEFA Cup winners PSV Eindhoven, Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC and Legia Warszawa.
Before helping to conduct the draw, UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino reminded clubs of the importance of being "united in our fight against match-fixing". He added: "Unfortunately, we have witnessed all too clearly the destructive effect that corruption can have on our sport and recent events have shown that it can reach all levels.
"That is why in order to protect our newest club competition, the UEFA Europa League, we will continue with our zero-tolerance policy approach to any forms of corruption. This is a fight that together we can and will win – all together."
Group games will be played from 15 September until 15 December, the day before the draws for the rounds of 32 and 16. The top two teams in each group will be joined by the third-placed UEFA Champions League group stage finishers in the knockout phase, which concludes at the National Stadium, Bucharest, on 9 May 2012.
