UEFA Europa League: The next steps for the Werkself

What is the current situation?

The group stage of the Europa League is over. Bayer 04 and the other seven top teams are through to the Round of 16 and thereby avoid the Round of 32. The first leg of the Round of 16 will be played on Thursday, 10 March 2022. The second leg matches will be played a week later.

What happens up to the Round of 16?

The second group stage will be played – without Bayer 04. The second-placed teams in the Europa League will face the third-placed teams in the Champions League groups on 17 and 24 February. The winners of those matches go through to the Round of 16 where they will play the eight group winners from the Europa League (including the Werkself).

Potential Round of 16 opponents?

The draw for the Europa League Round of 16, set to be held on 25 February, excludes two clubs from the same country playing each other. Accordingly, there are the following 14 possible opponents for the Werkself in the Round of 16:

Second-placed teams from the Europa League: Rangers, Real Sociedad, Napoli, Olympiakos, Lazio, Sporting Braga, Real Betis, Dinamo Zagreb.

Third-placed teams from the Champions League: FC Porto, FC Sheriff, Barcelona, Atalanta, FC Sevilla, Zenit St. Petersburg (not possible: Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig).

Europa League dates and fixtures:

• 13 December 2021: Draw for the second group stage (not involving Bayer 04)
  
• 17/24 February 2022: First and second legs of the second group stage (not involving Bayer 04)
  
• 25 February 2022: Round of 16 draw
  
• 10/17 March 2022: Round of 16 first and second legs
  
• 18 March 2022: Quarter-final draw and the route to the final
  
• 7/14 April 2022: Quarter-final first and second legs
  
• 28 April/5 May 2022: Semi-final first and second legs
  
• 18 May 2022: Final in Seville