In this article, the topic of 2022–23 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round will be addressed, which has been the object of interest and study in various areas of knowledge. 2022–23 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round is a topic that arouses curiosity and debate among experts and fans, since its relevance transcends geographical and temporal boundaries. Throughout history, 2022–23 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round has been the object of analysis and reflection, generating conflicting and enriching opinions. In this sense, it is essential to deepen our understanding and assessment, in order to understand its impact on society and on the development of ideas and knowledge. Through an exhaustive analysis, we seek to shed light on the key aspects of 2022–23 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round, exploring its implications and possible future prospects.
The 2022–23 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round began on 21 June and ended on 24 August 2022.
A total of 52 teams competed in the qualifying system of the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League, which included the qualifying phase and the play-off round, with 42 teams in Champions Path and 10 teams in League Path. The six winners in the play-off round (four from Champions Path, two from League Path) advanced to the group stage, to join the 26 teams that enter in the group stage.
Times are CEST (UTC+2), as listed by UEFA (local times, if different, are in parentheses).
The Champions Path included all league champions which did not qualify directly for the group stage, and consisted of the following rounds:
All teams eliminated from the Champions Path entered either the Europa League or the Europa Conference League:
Below are the participating teams of the Champions Path (with their 2022 UEFA club coefficients), grouped by their starting rounds.
Key to colours |
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Winners of play-off round advance to group stage |
Losers of play-off round entered Europa League group stage |
Losers of third qualifying round entered Europa League play-off round |
Losers of second qualifying round entered Europa League third qualifying round |
Drawn losers of the first qualifying round entered Europa Conference League third qualifying round |
Losers of the preliminary round and first qualifying round entered Europa Conference League second qualifying round |
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The League Path included all league non-champions which did not qualify directly for the group stage, and consisted of the following rounds:
All teams eliminated from the League Path entered the Europa League:
Below are the participating teams of the League Path (with their 2022 UEFA club coefficients), grouped by their starting rounds.
Key to colours |
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Winners of play-off round advance to group stage |
Losers of play-off round entered Europa League group stage |
Losers of third qualifying round entered Europa League group stage |
Losers of second qualifying round entered Europa League third qualifying round |
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Each tie, apart from the preliminary round, was played over two legs, with each team playing one leg at home. The team that scored more goals on aggregate over the two legs advanced to the next round. If the aggregate score was level at the end of normal time of the second leg, extra time was played, and if the same number of goals were scored by both teams during extra time, the tie was decided by a penalty shoot-out.
In the preliminary round, the semi-finals and final were played as a single match hosted by one of the participating teams. If the score was level at the end of normal time, extra time was played, and if the same number of goals were scored by both teams during extra time, the tie was decided by a penalty shoot-out.
The 2022–23 season saw the video assistant referee (VAR) used for the first time during the qualification phase following its introduction in the third qualifying round.
In the draws for each round, teams were seeded based on their UEFA club coefficients at the beginning of the season, with the teams divided into seeded and unseeded pots containing the same number of teams. A seeded team was drawn against an unseeded team, with the order of legs (or the administrative "home" team in the preliminary round matches) in each tie decided by draw. As the identity of the winners of the previous round was not known at the time of the draws, the seeding was carried out under the assumption that the team with the higher coefficient of an undecided tie advanced to this round, which means if the team with the lower coefficient was to advance, it simply took the seeding of its opponent. Prior to the draws, UEFA formed "groups" in accordance with the principles set by the Club Competitions Committee, but they were purely for convenience of the draw and did not resemble any real groupings in the sense of the competition. Teams from associations with political conflicts as decided by UEFA should not be drawn into the same tie. After the draws, the order of legs of a tie could be reversed by UEFA due to scheduling or venue conflicts.
The schedule of the competition was as follows (all draws were held at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland).
Round | Draw date | First leg | Second leg |
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Preliminary round | 7 June 2022 | 21 June 2022 (semi-finals) | 24 June 2022 (final) |
First qualifying round | 14 June 2022 | 5–6 July 2022 | 12–13 July 2022 |
Second qualifying round | 15 June 2022 | 19–20 July 2022 | 26–27 July 2022 |
Third qualifying round | 18 July 2022 | 2–3 August 2022 | 9 August 2022 |
Play-offs | 2 August 2022 | 16–17 August 2022 | 23–24 August 2022 |
The preliminary round consisted of two semi-finals on 21 June 2022 and the final on 24 June 2022. The draw for the preliminary round was held on 7 June 2022.
A total of four teams played in the preliminary round. Seeding of teams was based on their 2022 UEFA club coefficients, with two seeded teams and two unseeded teams in the semi-finals. The matches took place at Víkingsvöllur in Reykjavík, Iceland so the first team drawn in each tie in the semi-finals, and also the final (between the two winners of the semi-finals, whose identity was not known at the time of draw), would be the "home" team for administrative purposes.
Seeded | Unseeded |
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Semi-finals | Final | |||||
21 June – Reykjavík | ||||||
La Fiorita | 1 | |||||
24 June – Reykjavík | ||||||
Inter Club d'Escaldes | 2 | |||||
Inter Club d'Escaldes | 0 | |||||
21 June – Reykjavík | ||||||
Víkingur Reykjavík | 1 | |||||
FCI Levadia | 1 | |||||
Víkingur Reykjavík | 6 | |||||
The preliminary round matches consisted of two semi-finals on 21 June 2022 and the final on 24 June 2022.
The winner of the preliminary round final advanced to the first qualifying round. The losers of the semi-finals and final were transferred to the Europa Conference League Champions Path second qualifying round.
Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
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FCI Levadia | 1–6 | Víkingur Reykjavík |
La Fiorita | 1–2 | Inter Club d'Escaldes |
Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
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Inter Club d'Escaldes | 0–1 | Víkingur Reykjavík |
FCI Levadia | 1–6 | Víkingur Reykjavík |
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La Fiorita | 1–2 | Inter Club d'Escaldes |
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The draw for the first qualifying round was held on 14 June 2022.
A total of 30 teams played in the first qualifying round: 29 teams which enter in this round, and 1 winner of the preliminary round. Seeding of teams was based on their 2022 UEFA club coefficients. For the winner of the preliminary round, whose identity was not known at the time of draw, the club coefficient of the highest-ranked remaining team was used. Prior to the draw, UEFA formed three groups of five seeded teams and five unseeded teams in accordance with the principles set by the Club Competitions Committee. The first team drawn in each tie would be the home team of the first leg.
Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 | |||
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Seeded | Unseeded | Seeded | Unseeded | Seeded | Unseeded |
The first legs were played on 5 and 6 July, and the second legs were played on 12 and 13 July 2022.
The winners of the ties advanced to the Champions Path second qualifying round. The losers were transferred to the Europa Conference League Champions Path second qualifying round.
Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
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Pyunik | 2–2 (4–3 p) | CFR Cluj | 0–0 | 2–2 (a.e.t.) |
Maribor | 2–0 | Shakhtyor Soligorsk | 0–0 | 2–0 |
Ludogorets Razgrad | 3–0 | Sutjeska Nikšić | 2–0 | 1–0 |
F91 Dudelange | 3–1 | Tirana | 1–0 | 2–1 |
Tobol | 1–5 | Ferencváros | 0–0 | 1–5 |
Malmö FF | 6–5 | Víkingur Reykjavík | 3–2 | 3–3 |
Ballkani | 1–2 | Žalgiris | 1–1 | 0–1 (a.e.t.) |
HJK | 2–2 (5–4 p) | RFS | 1–0 | 1–2 (a.e.t.) |
Bodø/Glimt | 4–3 | KÍ Klaksvík | 3–0 | 1–3 |
The New Saints | 1–2 | Linfield | 1–0 | 0–2 (a.e.t.) |
Shamrock Rovers | 3–0 | Hibernians | 3–0 | 0–0 |
Lech Poznań | 2–5 | Qarabağ | 1–0 | 1–5 |
Shkupi | 3–2 | Lincoln Red Imps | 3–0 | 0–2 |
Zrinjski | 0–1 | Sheriff Tiraspol | 0–0 | 0–1 |
Slovan Bratislava | 2–1 | Dinamo Batumi | 0–0 | 2–1 (a.e.t.) |
Notes
CFR Cluj | 2–2 (a.e.t.) | Pyunik |
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Penalties | ||
3–4 |
2–2 on aggregate. Pyunik won 4–3 on penalties.
Shakhtyor Soligorsk | 0–2 | Maribor |
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Maribor won 2–0 on aggregate.
Sutjeska Nikšić | 0–1 | Ludogorets Razgrad |
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Ludogorets Razgrad won 3–0 on aggregate.
F91 Dudelange | 1–0 | Tirana |
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Tirana | 1–2 | F91 Dudelange |
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F91 Dudelange won 3–1 on aggregate.
Tobol | 0–0 | Ferencváros |
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Ferencváros | 5–1 | Tobol |
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Ferencváros won 5–1 on aggregate.
Malmö FF | 3–2 | Víkingur Reykjavík |
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Víkingur Reykjavík | 3–3 | Malmö FF |
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Malmö FF won 6–5 on aggregate.
Žalgiris won 2–1 on aggregate.
2–2 on aggregate. HJK won 5–4 on penalties.
KÍ Klaksvík | 3–1 | Bodø/Glimt |
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Bodø/Glimt won 4–3 on aggregate.
The New Saints | 1–0 | Linfield |
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Linfield | 2–0 (a.e.t.) | The New Saints |
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Linfield won 2–1 on aggregate.
Shamrock Rovers won 3–0 on aggregate.
Lech Poznań | 1–0 | Qarabağ |
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Qarabağ | 5–1 | Lech Poznań |
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Qarabağ won 5–2 on aggregate.
Shkupi won 3–2 on aggregate.
Sheriff Tiraspol won 1–0 on aggregate.
Dinamo Batumi | 1–2 (a.e.t.) | Slovan Bratislava |
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Slovan Bratislava won 2–1 on aggregate.
The draw for the second qualifying round was held on 15 June 2022.
A total of 24 teams played in the second qualifying round. They were divided into two paths:
Seeding of teams was based on their 2022 UEFA club coefficients. For the winners of the first qualifying round, whose identity was not known at the time of draw, the club coefficient of the highest-ranked remaining team in each tie was used. Prior to the draw, UEFA formed three groups for the champions path draw in accordance with the principles set by the Club Competitions Committee: two groups that produce three ties each (Groups 1 and 2) and one with four ties (Group 3). The first team drawn in each tie would be the home team of the first leg.
Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 | |||
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Seeded | Unseeded | Seeded | Unseeded | Seeded | Unseeded |
Seeded | Unseeded |
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The first legs were played on 19 and 20 July, and the second legs were played on 26 and 27 July 2022.
The winners of the ties advanced to the third qualifying round of their respective path. The Champions Path losers were transferred to the Europa League Champions Path third qualifying round, while the League Path losers were transferred to the Europa League Main Path third qualifying round.
Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
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Ferencváros | 5–3 | Slovan Bratislava | 1–2 | 4–1 |
Dinamo Zagreb | 3–2 | Shkupi | 2–2 | 1–0 |
Qarabağ | 5–4 | Zürich | 3–2 | 2–2 (a.e.t.) |
HJK | 1–7 | Viktoria Plzeň | 1–2 | 0–5 |
Linfield | 1–8 | Bodø/Glimt | 1–0 | 0–8 |
Žalgiris | 3–0 | Malmö FF | 1–0 | 2–0 |
Ludogorets Razgrad | 4–2 | Shamrock Rovers | 3–0 | 1–2 |
Maribor | 0–1 | Sheriff Tiraspol | 0–0 | 0–1 |
Maccabi Haifa | 5–1 | Olympiacos | 1–1 | 4–0 |
Pyunik | 4–2 | F91 Dudelange | 0–1 | 4–1 |
Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
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Midtjylland | 2–2 (4–3 p) | AEK Larnaca | 1–1 | 1–1 (a.e.t.) |
Dynamo Kyiv | 2–1 | Fenerbahçe | 0–0 | 2–1 (a.e.t.) |
Ferencváros | 1–2 | Slovan Bratislava |
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Slovan Bratislava | 1–4 | Ferencváros |
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Ferencváros won 5–3 on aggregate.
Dinamo Zagreb | 2–2 | Shkupi |
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Shkupi | 0–1 | Dinamo Zagreb |
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Dinamo Zagreb won 3–2 on aggregate.
Qarabağ | 3–2 | Zürich |
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Zürich | 2–2 (a.e.t.) | Qarabağ |
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Qarabağ won 5–4 on aggregate.
HJK | 1–2 | Viktoria Plzeň |
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Viktoria Plzeň won 7–1 on aggregate.
Linfield | 1–0 | Bodø/Glimt |
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Bodø/Glimt won 8–1 on aggregate.
Žalgiris won 3–0 on aggregate.
Ludogorets Razgrad | 3–0 | Shamrock Rovers |
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Shamrock Rovers | 2–1 | Ludogorets Razgrad |
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Ludogorets Razgrad won 4–2 on aggregate.
Sheriff Tiraspol | 1–0 | Maribor |
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Sheriff Tiraspol won 1–0 on aggregate.
Maccabi Haifa | 1–1 | Olympiacos |
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Maccabi Haifa won 5–1 on aggregate.
Pyunik | 0–1 | F91 Dudelange |
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F91 Dudelange | 1–4 | Pyunik |
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Pyunik won 4–2 on aggregate.
Midtjylland | 1–1 | AEK Larnaca |
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2–2 on aggregate. Midtjylland won 4–3 on penalties.
Dynamo Kyiv | 0–0 | Fenerbahçe |
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Dynamo Kyiv won 2–1 on aggregate.
The draw for the third qualifying round was held on 18 July 2022.
A total of 20 teams played in the third qualifying round. They were divided into two paths:
Seeding of teams was based on their 2022 UEFA club coefficients. For the winners of the second qualifying round, whose identity was not known at the time of draw, the club coefficient of the highest-ranked remaining team in each tie was used. Prior to the draw, UEFA formed two groups of three seeded teams and three unseeded teams in accordance with the principles set by the Club Competitions Committee. The first team drawn in each tie would be the home team of the first leg.
Group 1 | Group 2 | ||
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Seeded | Unseeded | Seeded | Unseeded |
Seeded | Unseeded |
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The first legs were played on 2 and 3 August, and the second legs were played on 9 August 2022.
The winners of the ties advanced to the play-off round of their respective path. The Champions Path losers were transferred to the Europa League play-off round, while the League Path losers were transferred to the Europa League group stage.
Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
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Maccabi Haifa | 4–2 | Apollon Limassol | 4–0 | 0–2 |
Qarabağ | 4–2 | Ferencváros | 1–1 | 3–1 |
Ludogorets Razgrad | 3–6 | Dinamo Zagreb | 1–2 | 2–4 |
Sheriff Tiraspol | 2–4 | Viktoria Plzeň | 1–2 | 1–2 |
Bodø/Glimt | 6–1 | Žalgiris | 5–0 | 1–1 |
Red Star Belgrade | 7–0 | Pyunik | 5–0 | 2–0 |
Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
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Monaco | 3–4 | PSV Eindhoven | 1–1 | 2–3 (a.e.t.) |
Dynamo Kyiv | 3–1 | Sturm Graz | 1–0 | 2–1 (a.e.t.) |
Union Saint-Gilloise | 2–3 | Rangers | 2–0 | 0–3 |
Benfica | 7–2 | Midtjylland | 4–1 | 3–1 |
Maccabi Haifa won 4–2 on aggregate.
Qarabağ | 1–1 | Ferencváros |
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Ferencváros | 1–3 | Qarabağ |
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Qarabağ won 4–2 on aggregate.
Ludogorets Razgrad | 1–2 | Dinamo Zagreb |
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Dinamo Zagreb won 6–3 on aggregate.
Viktoria Plzeň won 4–2 on aggregate.
Bodø/Glimt | 5–0 | Žalgiris |
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Bodø/Glimt won 6–1 on aggregate.
Red Star Belgrade won 7–0 on aggregate.
Monaco | 1–1 | PSV Eindhoven |
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PSV Eindhoven | 3–2 (a.e.t.) | Monaco |
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PSV Eindhoven won 4–3 on aggregate.
Dynamo Kyiv | 1–0 | Sturm Graz |
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Sturm Graz | 1–2 (a.e.t.) | Dynamo Kyiv |
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Dynamo Kyiv won 3–1 on aggregate.
Rangers won 3–2 on aggregate.
Benfica | 4–1 | Midtjylland |
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Midtjylland | 1–3 | Benfica |
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Benfica won 7–2 on aggregate.
The draw for the play-off round was held on 2 August 2022.
A total of 12 teams played in the play-off round. They were divided into two paths:
Seeding of teams was based on their 2022 UEFA club coefficients. For the winners of the third qualifying round, whose identity was not known at the time of draw, the club coefficient of the highest-ranked remaining team in each tie was used. The first team drawn in each tie would be the home team of the first leg.
Seeded | Unseeded |
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Seeded | Unseeded |
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The first legs were played on 16 and 17 August, and the second legs were played on 23 and 24 August 2022.
The winners of the ties advanced to the group stage. The losers were transferred to the Europa League group stage.
Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
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Qarabağ | 1–2 | Viktoria Plzeň | 0–0 | 1–2 |
Bodø/Glimt | 2–4 | Dinamo Zagreb | 1–0 | 1–4 (a.e.t.) |
Maccabi Haifa | 5–4 | Red Star Belgrade | 3–2 | 2–2 |
Copenhagen | 2–1 | Trabzonspor | 2–1 | 0–0 |
Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
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Dynamo Kyiv | 0–5 | Benfica | 0–2 | 0–3 |
Rangers | 3–2 | PSV Eindhoven | 2–2 | 1–0 |
Viktoria Plzeň | 2–1 | Qarabağ |
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Viktoria Plzeň won 2–1 on aggregate.
Bodø/Glimt | 1–0 | Dinamo Zagreb |
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Dinamo Zagreb won 4–2 on aggregate.
Maccabi Haifa won 5–4 on aggregate.
Copenhagen | 2–1 | Trabzonspor |
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Copenhagen won 2–1 on aggregate.
Dynamo Kyiv | 0–2 | Benfica |
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Benfica won 5–0 on aggregate.
Rangers | 2–2 | PSV Eindhoven |
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PSV Eindhoven | 0–1 | Rangers |
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Rangers won 3–2 on aggregate.