August 26 – The English Premier League may generate the most income of Europe’s domestic leagues but tomorrow’s Champions League draw features no fewer than five Spanish clubs, the first time one country has had that many representatives in the competition.
Valencia’s aggregate qualifying playoff victory over Monaco means the 2001 runners-up join Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the draw for the group stage.
Sevilla are also there having won last season’s Europa League after UEFA introduced a Champions League spot as an incentive for the winners of their second-string competition.
Spanish teams have won four of the last seven Champions League titles, with Barcelona beating Juventus in May. Spain also lead UEFA’s co-efficient rankings – the system used to decide which nations get the most slots – by a considerable margin.
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