The draw for the knockout playoff round of the new-look UEFA Europa League has been made.  But how does this feed into the round-of-16 ties? When is the next draw? How does it all knit together? And why were those league phase positions so important?

The UEFA Champions League on Friday conducted the draw for the knockout stage, setting up the bracket for European soccer's biggest annual tournament. At the confederation's headquarters in Switzerland,

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Draw made Friday for the knockout playoffs round in the UEFA Champions League: Atalanta (Italy) vs. Club Brugge (Belgium) – winner will play Lille or Aston Villa