UEFA Europa League Knockout Phase Play-Off Draw: Everything You Need to Know

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UEFA Europa League Knockout Phase Play-Off Draw: Everything You Need to Know

The draw for the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League knockout phase play-offs took place on January 31, 2025, at the UEFA House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland. With the group stage behind us, the knockout phase play-offs are set to ignite a fresh round of excitement in European club football. Here's a breakdown of the draw and what to expect from this crucial stage of the competition.

What Are the Europa League Knockout Phase Play-Offs?

In this phase, the teams finishing in 9th to 24th place in the league phase will compete in two-legged ties. The winners will secure a place in the Round of 16, where they will join the top eight teams that automatically qualified from the league phase. Unlike the earlier group stages, the knockout play-offs are structured as a bracket competition, with the seeded teams playing the second leg at home.

The seeded teams (those ranked 9th to 16th) will face the unseeded teams (those ranked 17th to 24th), as per pre-defined pairings based on league rankings.

The Europa League Knockout Phase Play-Off Draw Results

Here are the matchups from the draw:

  • Twente (23rd) vs Bodø/Glimt (9th)
  • Fenerbahçe (24th) vs Anderlecht (10th)
  • Union SG (22nd) vs Ajax (11th)
  • PAOK (21st) vs FCSB (12th)
  • AZ Alkmaar (19th) vs Galatasaray (14th)
  • Midtjylland (20th) vs Real Sociedad (13th)
  • Ferencváros (17th) vs Viktoria Plzeň (16th)
  • Porto (18th) vs Roma (15th)

The Knockout Phase Play-Off Format

The knockout phase play-offs feature 16 teams, with the seeded teams (those finishing 9th to 16th in the league phase) facing off against the unseeded teams (ranked 17th to 24th). The seeded teams will play the second leg at home, while the unseeded teams host the first leg.

The pairings are determined based on the final league positions, ensuring that teams finishing 9th and 10th face teams finishing 23rd or 24th, 11th and 12th face teams finishing 21st or 22nd, and so on.

The eight clubs that prevail in these knockout play-offs will then progress to the Round of 16.

Where Was the Draw Held?

The draw for the knockout phase play-offs was held at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland, where UEFA conducts several of its prestigious football events. This venue was the ideal setting for such an important stage of the competition.

How Did the Draw Work?

The draw was conducted in a two-step process. First, the unseeded teams were drawn, with each team being allocated to one of the pre-determined positions in the knockout bracket. Then, the seeded teams were drawn, following the same procedure.

The unseeded teams were drawn into the reserved spots on the bracket, starting from those ranked 23rd and 24th and working up to the teams ranked 17th and 18th. Afterward, the seeded teams were drawn, from 15th and 16th up to 9th and 10th.

Can Teams from the Same Country Play Each Other?

Yes, teams from the same national association can face each other in the knockout phase play-offs. Clubs may also be drawn against opponents they have already met during the league phase. This adds an extra layer of intrigue to the competition.

Key Dates for the Knockout Phase Play-Offs

  • First Legs: February 13, 2025
  • Second Legs: February 20, 2025

UEFA will confirm the exact match dates and kick-off times following the draw. The matches will be played over two weeks, with the first legs scheduled for February 13, 2025, and the second legs on February 20, 2025.

The Road Ahead: Round of 16 and Beyond

After the knockout phase play-offs, the eight winners will advance to the Round of 16, which will be played on March 6 and 13, 2025. The draw for the Round of 16 will take place on February 21, 2025.

Further rounds of the tournament will see teams battling it out for a spot in the quarter-finals (April 10 and 17, 2025), semi-finals (May 1 and 8, 2025), and ultimately the final, which will be held on May 21, 2025, at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain.

Conclusion

The 2024/25 UEFA Europa League knockout phase play-offs promise to be an exciting chapter in the competition, with teams from across Europe vying for a spot in the Round of 16. With fierce matchups already set, the road to the final is bound to be filled with dramatic moments and unforgettable football.

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