UEFA has introduced an innovation in the regulations of all European cup tournaments, which will come into effect from the 2025/26 season.
As reported by AS, the changes concern the playoff stage, which comes after the main (league) stage is completed. Previously, in each playoff pair, the home team in the first match was determined by a draw, but now everything will be decided by the final tournament positions of the teams in the main stage of the European cup.
From now on, in each playoff pair, the team that occupies the higher position based on the results of the main stage will have the right to host the return match at home.
Moreover, if the strongest team in the pair turns out to be the home team of the first match, it automatically secures for itself the league position of the eliminated opponent and thus increases its chances of becoming the host for the return match in the next round.
