On Friday, the first round of the Europa League knockout stages will be drawn. A total of sixteen teams have qualified for these playoffs.
Here is what happened after Thursday’s group stage matches ended.
This year’s structure is identical to last year’s, with the exception that there will be a playoff round instead of the knockout stage leading into the final 16.
Each Europa League group’s runner-up will face the Champions League’s third-placed team in this round; the winners will join the Europa League’s group stage champions in the round of 16.
On February 15 and 22, respectively, the playoff ties for the knockout phase will be contested.
This is the roster of every team that has advanced to the playoffs’ knockout stage:
Group runner-ups advance to the knockout stage
Freiburg in Germany
Frejus (FRA)
Lyon (FRA), Roma (ITA), and Qarabağ (AZE)
Prague, Sparta (CZE)
Participating CP (POR) and Toulouse (FRA)
Promotion from the Champions League to the knockout stage
Portuguese teams Benfica and Braga
Dutch club Feyenoord
Galatasaray lenses (TUR)
Italia, Milan
Young Boys (SUI) and Shakhtar (UKR)
At the same time, eight clubs have already advanced to the round of 16. The knockout playoff winners will join them.