Karim Benzema had his Champions League as captain. Who will raise it next year. Photo: Reuters
The new champion, Real Madrid, is still celebrating and the loser, Liverpool, can now plan their revenge: the new Champions League start with next month its initial version to complete the quota in different zones, which already have battles scheduled for September. The 2022 Qatar World Cup will pause the competition, that is will return to the round of 16 next yearfrom February 14.
Following FIFA’s announcement in February, when it confirmed that it would not accept the Russian team in the competitions, on May 2, UEFA extended the ban on the European giant’s clubs, which will also not be part of continental tournaments in during the season. 2022- 2023.
So far, there are 24 teams already classified according to the classification system of each league. Everyone knows them: real Madrid, Barcelona, Athletic of Madrid, for Spain; City of Manchester Y Liverpool by England; Milan, Inter, Naples Y Juventusni Italy Y Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund Y Bayer Leverkusenni Germany.
Also, PSG (France); Port, Sports, benfica (Portugal); salzburg Y Sturm Graz (Austria); Ajax Y PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands); celtic glasgow Y guards (Scotland); Shakhtar Donetsk Y Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine).
An image of the trophy when it was played in kyiv in 2018, with the same finalists as in the last edition. Photo by AP
The preliminary round will be played until June 24, with teams not directly qualified: Levadia Tallinnng Estonia; the floritefrom San Marino; Inter Club d’Escaldesfrom Andorra and the vikingur, from Iceland. The winner will join first round qualifying to play on July 5 and 6, with rematch on July 12 and 13, 2022.
Half of the teams will play on second qualifying round with first leg matches on July 19 and 20 and return matches on July 26 and 27. Leaving the funnel to the teams that will dispute the third qualifying round (August 2 and 3 for the first leg and August 9 for the second leg) to face each other for a playoff systemalso locals and visitors, in mid -August.
Just for that date will the 32 teams play Champions from the zones, that will be drawn on August 25 at UEFA headquarters (Nyon, France) to form eight groups with four teams each.
Now yes, the groups of Champions
The first day will be played between September 6 and 7, 2022; the second, next week. The third is set for October 4 and 5, while the fourth is on October 25 and 26. The sixth and last of the year and of the period, between November 1 and 2.
Qualifiers for the round of 16 will have to wait until 2023, because in February of that year the battles in the first leg will be split between 14, 15, 21 and 22. The return matches, next month: 7, 8, 14 and March 15.
The first of the quarterfinal clashes is on April 11-12, and the rematch on April 18-19. The semifinals: May 9 and 10 in one stadium, 16 and 17 in another. The final, a single match, was on June 10 at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul
There, the 2005 final also played out, when Liverpool came back from 3-0 down and beat Milan in a match known as the “Miracle of Istanbul”.
Source: Clarin
