The Europa League is in the hot phase – today is the draw. Who are the participants of the intermediate round? Who is already in the round of 16?
Three German teams are still represented in the Europa League. But only two of them are looking to Nyon today (from 1 p.m.) where the eight games of the intermediate round between the third-placed in the premier class and the runners-up in the Europa League will be drawn. Union Berlin and Bayer Leverkusen then expect their opponents.
Why is Freiburg not (yet) in the lottery pot?
SC Freiburg, on the other hand, can certainly plan for the round of 16. The sports club finished its preliminary group as group winners and is therefore already safely among the last 16.
In Breisgau, who will be the opponents will not be known until the draw on February 24, because 16 other teams are still playing in the intermediate round and are playing for the vacant eight places in the round of 16.
What are the rules for the playoff draw?
Only one principle applies to the draw: Representatives from the same country cannot be drawn against each other. Otherwise, all constellations are possible between the third-placed teams in the Champions League and those second from the Europa-League preliminary round. Leverkusen and Union Berlin are avoiding each other, but the Unioners could meet FC Barcelona, for example. The games will be played on February 16th and 23rd – whoever prevails after the first and second leg reaches the round of 16.
Who could Leverkusen and Union Berlin meet?
Third in the Champions League group on Monday, Bayer Leverkusen, FC Barcelona, Juventus Turin, Ajax Amsterdam, FC Salzburg, FC Sevilla, Shakhtar Donetsk and Sporting Lisbon are in the draw.
On the other side are the following group runners-up from the Europa League: Union Berlin, AS Monaco, Manchester United, FC Midtjylland, FC Nantes, PSV Eindhoven, Stade Rennes and AS Roma.
Who is certain of reaching the round of 16?
In addition to Freiburg, Arsenal FC, Fenerbahce Istanbul, Ferencvaros Budapest, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Real Sociedad San Sebastian, Real Betis and Feyenoord Rotterdam are already firmly in the round of 16.