The draw for the knockout playoff round of the new-look UEFA Europa League has been made.  But how does this feed into the round-of-16 ties? When is the next draw? How does it all knit together? And why were those league phase positions so important?

The UEFA Champions League on Friday conducted the draw for the knockout stage, setting up the bracket for European soccer's biggest annual tournament. At the confederation's headquarters in Switzerland,

Defending champions Real Madrid will renew their Champions League rivalry with 2023 winners Manchester City in a blockbuster knockout phase playoff tie after the two teams were pitted against each other in the draw held in Nyon on Friday.