The UEFA Champions League comprises of three
qualifying rounds, a group stage, and four knockout
rounds.
Qualifying
In matches in the three qualifying rounds,
clubs play two matches against each other on a home
and away basis, with the club scoring the greater
aggregate of goals qualifying for the next round. In
the event of both teams scoring the same number of
goals, the team which scores more goals away
qualifies.
Group stage
The 16 winners of the third qualifying round ties
join a similar number of automatic entrants in the
32-team group stage. The clubs are split into eight
groups of four teams, who play home and away against
each of their pool opponents between September and
December to decide which two teams from each pool
advance to the first knockout round. The third-place
finishers in each pool enter the UEFA Cup Round of
32.
Knockout phase
From the last 16 until the semi-finals, clubs play
two matches against each other on a home and away
basis with the same rules as the qualifying rounds
applied. In the last 16, group winners play
runners-up other than teams from their own pool or
nation, while from the quarter-finals on the draw is
free.
Final
The final is decided by a single match - which this
year will be played in Rome.
