The knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League are upon us, with the play-off draw taking place today, 31 January 2025, at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland. This exciting phase of the tournament will see teams who finished between ninth and 24th compete for their shot at the next round.
This season, the tournament has gathered significant attention, especially as the top eight teams, including clubs like Lazio, have already secured direct progression to the round of 16. For teams finishing between ninth and 24th, the stakes are higher as they must engage in two-legged knockout play-offs to try and earn their passage to the last 16. The draw not only determines these fixtures but also sets the tone for the competitive spirit of the matchups.
The teams involved include notable names such as Bodø/Glimt, Anderlecht, FCSB, Ajax, Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, Roma, and Viktoria Plzeň. These clubs have fought hard throughout the league phase, but only the best eight can move forward without the necessity of play-offs. The two-legged match format adds intrigue, as teams will be vying to earn points on both home and away turf.
Each team's league position greatly impacts their chances, especially during the draw. According to UEFA, "From the knockout phase play-offs onwards, the tournament is a bracket.” This means the remaining games will follow a set path, culminating in the finals.
The knockout phase play-off matches are set for 13 and 20 February 2025, after which the competition will advance to the round of 16. The excitement builds not just from the match fixtures but also from the drama of the draw process, which includes two separate groups: seeded and unseeded teams. "The teams finishing the league phase between ninth and 16th will be seeded for the first draw of the knockout phase,” UEFA notes, making it clear how these rankings play out through the tournament.
Fans and pundits are eagerly anticipating the draw, which will set the stage for these upcoming clashes. It will be fascinating to see which teams face off and how they will line up against each other, particularly as some could come up against familiar foes from their earlier league campaigns.
Overall, the 2024-2025 UEFA Europa League knockout phase promises to deliver excitement and high-stakes football for clubs and supporters alike. The outcome of today’s draw will be pivotal, with each club aiming for ultimate glory and, quite possibly, turning this tournament run to legends.