For instance, English champions Manchester City cannot be drawn against Spanish champions Barcelona. Traditionally, the strongest teams – those who won their domestic league or are Champions League or Europa League winners – are placed in pot one, so they are unable to face each other from the get-go. Usually, clashes between top European sides don't occur until the last 16 stage, but this year, the excitement will be arriving early. The supposed 'Group of Death' in knockout competitions such as the Champions League is a term used for when more than two teams who are considered a strong force are placed in the same group.ĭue to the seeding nature of the Champions League, the group stage knockout round is determined by club coefficients which are ranked based on finishes in both Europe and domestically.
