Aussies Abroad: Socceroo Sainsbury set for Messi match-up

Socceroos defender Trent Sainsbury is set to go head-to-head with Lionel Messi in the UEFA Champions League after his club side PSV was drawn in Group B alongside Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan.

It was an equally challenging draw for Sainsbury's Austrlalia teammate Milos Degenek, whose club side Red Star Belgrade will take on the might of the Neymar led PSG, last season's Champions League finalist Liverpool and Serie A runners-up Napoli in Group C.

Sainsbury won't have to wait long for his potential clash with Messi as PSV's first match of the group stage will be against Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Wednesday, September 19 (AEST).

If the former Central Coast Mariners player is selected to play during PSV's Champions League campaign he will be tasked with keeping out a bevy of the world's best strikers including Tottenham's Harry Kane, Mauro Icardi of Inter Milan and of course Luis Suarez, Malcolm and Messi at Barcelona.

It doesn't get much easier for Degenek, who has already established himself as a regular starter for Red Star, with the centre back faced with holding out Napoli's Dries Mertens, Mo Salah of Liverpool and PSG's triple threat of Neymar, Edison Cavani and Kylian Mbappe.

Red Star's first match of the Champions League group stage will be at home against the Carlo Ancelotti coached Napoli also on Wednesday, September 19 (AEST)

In the Europa League, Apostolos Giannou scored a brace to guide Cypriot side AEK Larnaca to group stage qualification.

Giannou opened the scoring with a goal inside the first minute after a great run in behind the defence and cool finish across the keeper.

The South Melbourne youth product then wrapt up the result after 65 minutes to secure a 3-0 win on the day and 3-1 aggregate victory to help AEK Larnaca progress.

Joining Giannou in the Europa League group stage will be fellow Socceroos squad members Tom Rogic and Danny Vukovic.

Rogic's Celtic made light work of FK Suduva to progress with a 3-0 win at Celtic Park, while Vukovic survived a high scoring clash in denmark with his club side Genk as they beat Brondby 4-2 on the night and 9-4 on aggregate

Alex Gersbach was the only other Australian to make the Europa League group stage as his Rosenborg side claimed a 5-2 aggregate win against Macedonian side Shkendija.

Sadly for Socceroos squad bolter Awer Mabil it wasnt to be. His FC Midtjylland side suffering a 2-0 loss to Malmo to lose their playoff tie 4-2 on aggregate.

The Europa League draw will be held on Saturday morning (AEST)