We are going to show and present the news and developments of this new UYL season in a future post, but first we will present the format that has been running since the beginning of the competition, 2 years ago.
The first stage is very simple, there are 8 groups (A-H) with 4 teams in each group. The distribution of the teams is exactly the same as it is in the Champions League. Basically, in this phase the youth squads of the Champions League teams compete in a same-structure competition. Each team has to play twice (home/away) against every team in its group.
After the first stage, the 2nd classified of every group, will play against one of the teams classified via Domestic Champions Path in a single-leg knock-out. This match will be played in the field of the teams arrived from the Domestic Champions Path.
The teams that pass this round will play against the teams that classified 1st in the groups of the UEFA Champions League path. The eight group winners of the UEFA Champions League Path group stage and the eight winners of the play-offs contest the round of 16, for which the pairings are determined by means of a draw. This draw also determines which will be the home teams. This round will be also played in a single-leg knockout match.
The quarter finals will have the same structure as the previous round. The matches will be determined by draw as the home team will, and the round is played in a single-leg knock-out match.
The semifinal and the final will be played in a "Final 4" format, played as two semifinals and a final both played in the Colovray Stadium in Nyon, Switzerland. There is not going to be a match for the 3rd and 4th place.
You can follow the results and the details of the matches of the UYL Champions League Route here: http://www.uefa.com/uefayouthleague/season=2016/standings/index.html
