Real Sociedad, Lens and Red Star Belgrade have also qualified for the group stages of the final edition of the current format
When the confetti cannons have been silenced, the celebratory pyrotechnics extinguished and the presentation podium dismantled after Saturday night’s Champions League final, tournament organisers at Uefa HQ will have little or no time to catch the collective breath.
On Tuesday, after a run-through of the byzantine rules of qualification, the glass bowls and mini screw-top plastic footballs so synonymous with Champions League draws will be dusted off and pressed into service in Nyon. The qualifying rounds of next season’s competition are scheduled to kick off later this month and, less than 72 hours after the trophy lift in Istanbul, the four teams in the preliminary round will be paired.
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