The UCL is making its way back. All the teams that made it through to the UEFA Champions League 2021-22 season are set to make their case for the coveted honour. English power Chelsea is the defending champion. French side Paris Saint-Germain, Germany's Bayern Munich and 2021 finalists Manchester City are undoubtedly the favourites to lift the trophy.

Also Read: Football facts: Players who won the PL, UCL and World Cup

For the first time since 1965; knockout rounds of UEFA competitions, including the Champions League will not use away goals as tiebreakers. UEFA abolished this rule in June 2021. The series will go straight to extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shootout; if the scores are level after the conclusion of both legs.

Teams in UEFA Champions League 2021-22

Chelsea the UEFA Champions League 2020/21 champions | SportzPoint — Image - The Pride of London

A total of 26 teams have qualified directly to the UEFA Champions League group stage. Only teams finishing in the top 4 in England, Spain, Germany and Italy are directly awarded the coveted spots.

Also Read: Most Champions League titles won by Football Clubs

There were six spots left up for grabs that were to be determined by the two-leg playoff series. Salzburg, Sheriff Tiraspol, Shakhtar Donetsk, Benfica, Malmö and Young Boys made it through.

Teams that qualified automatically:

Teams	Country	How they qualified
Ajax	Netherlands	1st - Eredivisie
Atalanta	Italy	3rd - Serie A
Atletico Madrid	Spain	1st - La Liga
FC Barcelona	Spain	3rd La Liga
FC Bayern Munich	Germany	1st - Bundesliga
Besiktas	Turkey	1st - Super Lig
Borussia Dortmund	Germany	3rd - Bundesliga
Chelsea	England	4th - English Premier League
Club Brugge	Belgium	1st - Jupiler Pro League
Dynamo Kiev	Ukraine	1st - Ukraine Premier League
Inter Milan	Italy	1st - Serie A
Juventus	Italy	4th - Serie A
Lille	France	1st - Ligue 1
Liverpool	England	3rd - English Premier League
Manchester City	England	1st - English Premier League
Manchester United	England	2nd - English Premier League
AC Milan	Itlay	2nd - Serie A
Paris Saint-Germain	France	2nd - Ligue 1
Porto	Portugal	2nd - Liga Portugal
RB Leipzig	Germany	2nd - Bundesliga
Real Madrid	Spain	2nd - La Liga
Sevilla	Spain	4th - La Liga
Sporting CP	Portugal	1st - Liga Portugal
Villarreal	Spain	Europa League Champion
Wolfsburg	Germany	4th - Bundesliga
Zenit St. Petersburg	Russia	1st - Russian Premier League

Also, Read: UEFA announces nominees for Champions League positional awards

Teams that qualified through playoff series:

Teams	Country
RB Salzburg	Austria
Shakhtar Donetsk	Ukraine
Sheriff Tiraspol	Moldova
Benfica	Portugal
Malmo	Sweden
Young Boys	Switzerland

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