Youth League: Format, draw and selection

YOUTH Because of the European Championships U17 it took a big effort, but in the end the U17 of Anderlecht took the national title. As a result, this season it can play in the so-called 'Domestic Champions Path' of the Uefa Youth League.


Just back in time. In the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 season, the Youth League was also called the Champions League U19. The same format as the 'real' Champions League, the same 32 participants.

Since the 2015-2016 season, however, it has expanded from 32 to 64 teams. Although the first team of Anderlecht does not participate in the Champions League this season, the youngsters are allowed to participate in the U17 thanks to the title. Not immediately at the head tournament. They have to get to the last sixteen via the so-called 'Domestic Champions Path'.

Last week there was a draw for the first two rounds of that side-path. Anderlecht first have to survive two rounds with home and away leg and direct elimination. Prolongations are not played. If the result is equal  after 180 minutes, penalties will be taken immediately.

If Anderlecht eliminates the Austrian FC Admira (3 and 24 October), it will play against the winner of the game between Dinamo Kiev and Septemvri Sofia on 7 and 28 November. If Anderlecht wins, it places itself for the playoffs.

In it, it will play against one of the eight numbers two of the traditional 'Champions League Path'.

These play-offs will be drawn on 17 December. The games will take place on 19 or 20 February in ninety minutes. If Anderlecht survives the first two rounds, it will play this game at home anyway.

The eight winners of the playoffs and the eight group winners may contest the final stage of the tournament. For these four games with direct elimination that will be played in one game, the draw will take place on 22 February.

The dates: eighth finals: 12 or 13 March, quarter finals: 2 or 3 April. Semi-final: 26 April and the final on 29 April. The half and final will be played in Nyon.

Youth League: Selection

The Youth League is foreseen for players born after January 1, 2000. In addition, the preselection of forty can contain five players from 1999 on the condition that they play for purple-white for a longer period.

Tielemans was also in this preselection four years ago, even though it already had a full season in the first team of Anderlecht for a full season.

Moutha-Sebtaoui does not play long enough for Anderlecht and is not eligible to play. Delcroix, Sambi Lokonga, Amuzu and U21-player Dewaele are all boys from the generation of '99 that we expect in the preselection. In addition, Saelemaekers or Bornauw can also be added, although the chance that one of them actually plays seems rather small.

But who are the boys of 2000 and younger who will contest the Youth League this year? We introduce them to you from tomorrow.