Rangers Football Club, one of the biggest clubs in Scotland will need to go through some qualifying rounds to confirm their place in next season’s special edition of the Champions League.
The Champions League is the most prestigious club football tournament in Europe where the best teams from different countries compete. However, getting into the Champions League is not easy, and Rangers have learned what they need to do to qualify for this big competition.
Rangers fans will desperately hope that their team dislodges their eternal rivals, Celtic who once again strolled to the Scottish league title. Fans can now get Rangers tickets for next season from an online resale store.
The Qualifying Stages
In the past, qualifying for the Champions League was not necessarily easier but less complicated. If you were the best or second-best team in your country, you got a chance to play in the tournament. It was rather easy and straight to the point at the time.
But now, the rules have changed, and it's more complicated. Rangers will need to win a couple of games in what are called "qualifying rounds" to make it into the Champions League
A New Path to the Champions League
For them to qualify to play in the 24/25 champions league, Rangers have to play in two qualifying rounds. If they win these rounds, they will be part of the Champions League group stage. But if they lose at any point, they won't be out of luck completely. They will get a second chance to play in the Europa League, the second-tier competition in European football.
Who Could Rangers Face?
Rangers have found out who they might play against in these qualifying rounds. The teams they could face include:
- Fenerbahce from Turkey
- Dynamo Kyiv from Ukraine
- Lugano from Switzerland
- Partizan Belgrade from Serbia
Two of these teams will move on to the third qualifying round, where they could play against Rangers. In this round, Rangers will also be up against teams like FC Twente From the Netherlands and Union Saint Gilloise from Belgium. As it stands Rangers will most likely be playing Dynamo Kyiv after drawing either them or Partisan. The Ukrainian side hold a healthy 6-2 lead from the first leg last week.
Being a Seeded Team
Because Rangers have done well in past European competitions, they are considered a "seeded" team. They were in the Europa League last season, and this helps the coefficient for Scottish clubs. This means they are ranked higher and theoretically will play against teams that are ranked lower. This gives them a slightly better chance of winning their matches and moving on to the next round. At the moment, the Scottish giants will fancy their chances of seeing it all the way and the expectation is that they will secure that much-coveted spot.
If Rangers win in the third qualifying round, they will move on to the play-off round. The teams they might face in this round include:
- Lille from France
- Salzburg from Austria
In the play-off round, teams like Lille and Salzburg can prove to be challenging. Lille, from French Ligue Un, has a rich history of producing talented players, while RB Salzburg, which is probably the biggest side in the Austrian Bundesliga, is known for its fast-paced and attacking style of play.
All three sides are equally matched and there is no underdog or favourite in fixtures like this, just about who wants it more. The many hurdles Rangers will need to cross to get into the tournament proper will toughen the team up.
These teams are also very good, but they are probably not as strong as some of the biggest teams in Europe. This means Rangers have a real chance of making it into the Champions League group stage if they get it right with their preparations. Based on their experience on the continent and their resolve to get results in games like this, they should be able to pull it off.
Why is playing in the Champions League Important?
Making it into the Champions League is a big deal for Rangers for many reasons. First, it's the European football elite competition, and playing against the best teams will make Rangers even stronger.
Second, there is a lot of money to be made. If Rangers make it to the Champions League group stage, they can earn nearly £37 million, even if they crash out in the group stage. This money can help the team buy better players and improve their facilities to compete better on the home front.
Europa League as a fallback option
If Rangers don't make it to the Champions League, they will still have the chance to play in the Europa League. While playing in this competition won't offer as much money as the Champions League, it's still quite prestigious and can also be useful to the team. For example, a good run in the Europa League could earn Rangers about £17 million, which is still a significant amount.
Building a competitive team
The head coach of Rangers, Philippe Clement, knows how important it is to get into the Champions League. Not only does it bring in money, but it also helps the club to build a stronger team. Playing against top teams from around Europe will make Rangers better and make them even more competitive. Clement is determined to lead Rangers to success, dislodge Celtic in the league and ultimately make the fans proud.
Conclusion
Rangers have a serious challenge ahead of them as they aim to qualify for the Champions League in the 24/25 season. With hard work, determination, and a bit of luck, they have the potential to make it into next season’s Champions League group stage. They have all it takes to go all the way, but for the fans, and neutrals alike it will be interesting to see how it all pans out.
The summer promises to be exciting and for Rangers, there is work to be done ahead of yet another gruelling season.
