UEFA Europa League draw confirmed: playoff matches set for February

UEFA Europa League playoff draw set to determine final spots in the Round of 16, with ties including Roma vs Porto.

The revamped UEFA Europa League format has already provided shock, excitement, and unexpected results. With the group stage now complete, the tournament has narrowed from 36 teams to 24, as 12 clubs have been eliminated.

The final round of group matches saw dramatic moments, including Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Rangers confirm their place in the Round of 16. Others, like Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce, AS Roma, and Porto will have to make due with a place in the playoffs.

New format and playoff structure

Under the revised format, the top eight teams from the league stage earned a direct spot in the Round of 16. These teams, ranked in order of finish, are:

• Lazio (Italy)
• Athletic Club (Spain)
• Manchester United (England)
• Tottenham Hotspur (England)
• Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany)
• Olympique Lyonnais (France)
• Olympiacos (Greece)
• Rangers F.C. (Scotland)

 

 

 

 

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The remaining 16 teams will now compete in a two-legged playoff round. Teams ranked 9th to 16th are seeded and will face teams placed 17th to 24th. The winners will advance to the Round of 16, where they will meet one of the top eight teams.

UEFA Europa League playoff draw

Bracket 1

• Ferencváros vs Viktoria Plzeň
• Porto vs Roma
  (Winners will face Athletic Bilbao or Lazio in the Round of 16)

Bracket 2

• Twente vs Bodø/Glimt
• Fenerbahçe vs Anderlecht
  (Winners will face Rangers or Olympiacos in the Round of 16)

Bracket 3

• Union Saint-Gilloise vs Ajax
• PAOK vs FCSB
  (Winners will face Lyon or Eintracht Frankfurt in the Round of 16)

Bracket 4

• AZ Alkmaar vs Galatasaray
• Midtjylland vs Real Sociedad
  (Winners will face Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur in the Round of 16)

The two-legged playoff ties will be played on 13 and 20 February.

The full bracket is as follows:

They will determine the final eight teams joining the top-ranked sides in the next round setting the stage for more high-stakes encounters in the Europa League.