UEFA Champions League play-off round: What to realize ahead of second legs to resolve group stage

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The 2020-21 UEFA Champions League group stage does not begin until next month, but there will be some movement in the competition this week with the last play-off round second legs taking place on CBS All Access. After final week’s first legs, the return legs are this week with three games a piece on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

For a list of the teams that have already qualified for the group stage, click here.

All eyes will be on American manager Jesse Marsch and Red Bull Salzburg as they look to make the group stage again despite losing stars, while a formidable club like Slavia Prague need a result after a scoreless first leg against Midtjylland.

 A closer look at the first leg results will also be found here. Here is what to realize ahead of the action:

Format change

The play-off format has changed in recent times with smaller teams participating. The old format used to have one of the crucial fourth-place teams from big European leagues play with teams such as Arsenal, Milan, Manchester United, Manchester City, Valencia and others having participated. But starting with the 2018-19 edition that changed with those teams finish in fourth-place of major leagues qualifying directly for the group stage. The round is now split into two paths, Champions and League, with champs from lower leagues and other teams finishing high in lower leagues still having work to do. Losers of the play-off ties qualify for the Europa League group stage, while the winners advance to the group stage of UCL.

Here’s the schedule for the remainder of the month:

Schedule How do the two legs work?

Whether the score is tied at the end of the two matches, then the team with more absent goals advances. Whether the score is tied and the teams are tied on absent goals, then the match goes into additional time to come to a decision a winner and then potentially penalty kicks.

For instance, whether Slavia Prague and Midtjylland tie 0-0, the game will go to additional time. Because Slavia are the absent side, whether they earn a draw with goals, they are going to advance on absent goals since the first leg saw nobody score. 

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