Full Europa League Draw as Barcelona Make Return to Competition for First Time in 17 Years

• This season's Europa League knockout phase will mark a departure from the usual 32 teams
• Instead, there will be just 16 of them - with the eight group winners being joined by the eight who finished third in the UCL group stages
• Barcelona, Porto, Leipzig, and Napoli are among the top teams that will face off against each other in the knockouts
• Serial winners Sevilla are also in the competition and will be battling Dynamo Zagreb in their own fixture

Barcelona are among a number of teams who were relegated to the Europa League following their elimination from the Champions League.

The La Liga giants needed at least a win in their last group fixture against Bayern Munich to earn qualification to the knockout round.

However, their 3-0 humiliating defeat at Allianz Arena meant they will be playing in the second-tier European competition first time since the 2003/04 season.

The Xavi-tutored side will be kicking off their campaign against Napoli following the Monday, December 13, draw conducted in Nyon, Switzerland.

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Borussia Dortmund, Porto, RB Leipzig, and Atalanta are also among the top teams who exited the UCL and will now have to continue their continental assignment in the Europa League.

Leipzig have been pooled alongside Real Sociedad, with Porto landing a tricky fixture against Serie A giants, Lazio.

meanwhile, serial winners, Sevilla will be entertaining Dynamo Zagreb in their own fixture of the knockout phase.

Here is the full Europa League draw:

Atalanta v Olympiacos

Leipzig v Real Sociedad

Barcelona v Napoli

Zenit v Real Betis

Borussia Dortmund v Rangers

Sheriff Tiraspol v Braga

Porto v Lazio

Sevilla v Dynamo Zagreb

Man United draw PSG in UCL last 16

Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are set to renew their rivalry after Man United drew PSG in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Chelsea were lucky to avoid Bayern Munich and Real Madrid - but face a tricky meeting with French side Lille.

Man City and Liverpool have arguably the easiest fixtures on paper, with Pep Guardiola's men set to battle Villarreal as the Reds entertain RB Salzburg.