Trotters face mighty Euro task in Munich

BOLTON’S trip to face Bayern Munich early next month promises to be the highlight of the UEFA Cup group stage, after the draw was made in Nyon yesterday.

Sammy Lee’s struggling Trotters will be massive underdogs for the clash at the Allianz Arena on November 8 as the Bavarians are currently racing away from their rivals in the Bundesliga.

Fired by the prolific Italy striker Luca Toni, Bayern are five points clear at the summit and their form is in stark contrast to that endured by Bolton in the Barclays Premier League.

Defeat to Chelsea on Sunday kept the Trotters rooted in 19th with just one league win all season, and their UEFA Cup first-round victory over Rabotnicki has been one of the few highlights since manager Sammy Lee succeeded Sam Allardyce at the Reebok Stadium.

Bolton precede their match against Bayern with an opening home clash against Braga of Portugal, while they will also take on Greek side Aris Thessaloniki and Red Star Belgrade.

Tottenham, who reached last season’s quarter-finals before losing to Sevilla, face more Spanish opposition in the form of Getafe.

Getafe are currently languishing second bottom of La Liga and will visit White Hart Lane on matchday one.

Intriguingly, the North Londoners will also face Anderlecht, the Belgian side they defeated on penalties in the 1984 UEFA Cup final, with minnows AaB Aalborg and Hapoel Tel Aviv providing the other opposition in what looks a favourable draw for under-fire boss Martin Jol.

Everton appear to have no glamour ties to look forward to in Group A but they arguably have the toughest overall task of the English clubs.

David Moyes’ side open against Larissa, Blackburn’s first-round conquerors, at Goodison Park on October 25, before a trip to face Bundesliga strugglers Nurnberg two weeks later.

Russian nouveau riches Zenit St Petersburg are next up on Merseyside before they finish with a daunting trip to AZ Alkmaar, quarter-finalists last year.

Scottish club Aberdeen will face Greek giants Panathinaikos before they host Lokomotiv Moscow.

They then travel to the Spanish capital to face Atletico Madrid and close out by hosting FC Copenhagen at Pittodrie.