After eliminating Nantes in the play-off round, Juventus return to Europa League action against Freiburg, the winners of the same group as the French club.

Below are the key statistics and curiosities for what is the first ever meeting between the two teams.

DEBUT DATE | Not only is this the first ever meeting between Juventus and Freiburg in European competition, it is also Freiburg's first meeting against Italian opponents.

GERMAN OPPOSITION | Juve last faced a German side in the UEFA Cup/Europa League in April 1995, defeating Borussia Dortmund 4-3 on aggregate in the semi-final, and have gone unbeaten in seven of their last eight meetings against German opposition in European competition, winning four.

TRAVEL LOG | Freiburg were one of three teams unbeaten this season in the Europa League group stage, when they scored eight goals in the three away matches (2.6 per game on average), already two goals more than in their previous eight away games in Europe.

DOUBLE TREBLE | Ángel Di María has been involved in six goals in five games for Juventus in Europe, with three assists agaist Maccabi Haifa in October in the Champions League and a hat-trick at Nantes in the most recent fixture.

PERFORMING ABROAD | Vincenzo Grifo has participated in most goals in all competitions this season among all Italian players, with 14 goals and six assists, matching his personal best set last season, 13 goals and seven winning passes over 40 appearances.