The UEFA Champions League play-off draw has been announced, outlining the path to the league phase for teams like Rangers and Fenerbahce. Both clubs must first navigate their third qualifying round ties this week before potentially reaching the play-offs in the new 2024/25 competition format.
Rangers’ Path to the Group Stage
Current Opponent: Rangers face Dynamo Kyiv in the third qualifying round. They will travel to Poland for the first leg on August 6, followed by the return leg at Ibrox a week later.
Potential Play-Off Opponents: If Rangers advance, they will play either RB Salzburg from Austria or FC Twente from the Netherlands in the play-off round. This match-up will determine their entry into the Champions League league phase.
Recent History: Last season, Rangers, under former manager Michael Beale, were knocked out in the play-off stage by PSV Eindhoven. The current manager, Philippe Clement, will aim to improve upon that performance and secure a spot in the main tournament.
Fenerbahce’s Route Under Mourinho
Third Qualifying Round: Managed by Jose Mourinho, Fenerbahce will face a challenging third qualifying round against the French club LOSC Lille.
Possible Play-Off Opponents: Should they succeed against Lille, Fenerbahce will meet either Slavia Prague from the Czech Republic or Belgium’s Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in the play-off round.
Mourinho’s Champions League Legacy: Jose Mourinho, known for his Champions League triumphs with FC Porto (2004) and Inter Milan (2010), brings his vast experience to Fenerbahce as they aim to navigate through the qualifiers and into the group stage.
New Champions League Format
The 2024/25 season introduces a new format for the Champions League, with the league phase replacing the traditional group stage. This aims to provide more matches and competitive balance. The play-off round matches are scheduled for August 20-21 and August 27-28, with successful teams moving into the revamped league phase.
Both Rangers and Fenerbahce are preparing for their upcoming matches with high stakes, as success in the qualifiers will allow them to participate in the prestigious league phase of the UEFA Champions League.
