Freiburg meet Monaco, Panathinaikos, Trabzonspor in Conference League

FILE PHOTO - The UEFA Europa Conference League trophy is pictured before the final soccer match between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano at the Red Bull Arena. (is associated with: «Freiburg meet Monaco, Panathinaikos, Trabzonspor in Conference League») Robert Michael/dpa

Freiburg must take on Monaco and Panathinaikos in their hardest-looking Conference League games this season, with a trip to Trabzonspor to meet Egypt icon Mohamed Salah also on the agenda.

Last season's Europa League runners-up also host Dutch side Twente Enschede and Czech outfit Jablonec as part of their six league outings. A visit to Lithuania to Kauno Žalgiris awaits too.

The exact dates and order for the fixtures will be announced by European governing body UEFA in due course. Freiburg will head to Ligue 1 Monaco and welcome Greeks Panathinaikos to the Black Forest.

In other notable fixtures from Friday's draw for the league phase in Monaco, four-times European champions Ajax host 2024 Europa League winners Atalanta and Premier League Brighton have a tough baptism in Europe's third-tier competition.

The Seagulls host Monaco but visit Panathinaikos and Spain's Getafe.

Inter Escaldes became the first Andorran side to qualify for Europe on Wednesday and their reward in the Conference League proper includes games at home to FC Copenhagen and away at Red Star Belgrade.

Their biggest clash, though, maybe at Madrid suburb side Getafe given Andorra borders Spain.

The first matchday of the league phase is on October 15. This season's final takes place on June 2 in the same Beşiktaş stadium in Istanbul where Freiburg lost the Europa League showpiece to Aston Villa this year.