Not since the 2014/15 season, which came after David Moyes' struggles in 2013/14, have they been outside of both the Champions League and Europa League. Alongside the Conference League and Champions League, instead of eight different groups, 36 teams will be placed into one giant league table for the first phase of the tournament. In essence, the knockout 'table' - more commonly seen as a grid and pathway to the final - will be formed based on rankings from the league. Into the round of 16 and those ranked first to eighth in the initial league table will face the winners of the play-off ties. The last two group games are played in January before the knockout play-offs start in February, and the round-of-16 in March.

Source: Express June 18, 2024 04:10 UTC