The Europa League play-offs are set to ignite excitement among football fans as they unfold over two legs on February 13 and February 20. The draw for the play-offs will be held on Friday, January 31, at around 12 am UK and Irish time. This phase will feature teams finishing between ninth and 24th in the league, with those placed between ninth and 16th seeded for the play-off round. The eight victorious teams from these play-offs will advance to face the top eight teams from the initial league phase in the last 16, scheduled for March 6 and March 13.
Rangers have defied the odds by securing a spot in the round of 16, having finished eighth. Their impressive performance against Union SG ensured their qualification, despite a late scare. On the other hand, Manchester United secured a third-place finish in the group phase. The introductions of Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo were pivotal in their 2-0 triumph over Steaua Bucharest, propelling them directly into the last 16 alongside Tottenham Hotspur and Rangers.
The play-off stage will see intriguing matchups, with teams like Anderlecht, Bodø/Glimt, Fenerbahçe, and Twente vying for a spot in the next round. Teams that finished 11th and 12th will be drawn against those ranked 21st or 22nd, creating exciting prospects for underdog victories. Tottenham Hotspur's convincing 3-0 win over Elfsborg has set them up for a clash against Midtjylland, AZ Alkmaar, Real Sociedad, or Olympiakos in the last 16.
As the tournament progresses, the quarter-finals are scheduled for April 10, with return legs on April 17. The semi-finals will take place on May 1 and May 8. The grand finale of the 2024/25 Europa League season will be held at the Estadio de San Mames in Bilbao, Spain, on May 21, 2025.
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