The club coefficient rankings are based on the results of clubs competing in the five previous seasons of the Champions League and Europa League. The rankings determine the seeding of each club in all UEFA competition draws.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE POINTS SYSTEM
First qualifying round elimination: 0.5 points
Second qualifying round elimination: 1 point
Group stage participation: 4 points
Group stage win: 2 points
Group stage draw: 1 point
Round of 16 participation: 4 points
Since 2009/10, clubs have been awarded an additional point if they reach the round of 16, quarter finals, semi finals or final. Points are not awarded for elimination in the third qualifying round or play-offs, since those clubs move to the UEFA Europa League and are awarded points for participation in that competition.
EUROPA LEAGUE POINTS SYSTEM
First qualifying round elimination: 0.25 points
Second qualifying round elimination: 0.5 points
Third qualifying round elimination: 1 point
Play-off elimination: 1.5 points
Group stage win: 2 points
Group stage draw: 1 point
Since 2009/10, clubs have been guaranteed a minimum of two points if they reach the group stage and are awarded an additional point if they get to the quarter finals, semi finals or final and penalty shoot-outs do not affect the calculation system.
Here, Into The Top Corner looks at the top ten clubs ranked according to the UEFA club coefficients.
10. Lyon
French club Lyon have also slipped down a spot and currently have 94.835 points. The seven-time Ligue 1 winners had their best season in the 2009/10 campaign, reaching the Champions League semis, losing out to Bayern Munich.
9. Atletico Madrid
Europa League and Super Cup winners in 2010, the Spanish side are actually up two places and now have 95.522 points. At time of writing, they are on course for a return to the Europa League final in 2012.
8. FC Porto
Winners of the Europa League in 2011 under former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas, Porto are Champions League regulars, amassing 98.069 points over the previous five seasons.
7. Inter Milan
For their Champions League win in 2010, Inter earned 34.085 points and as a result of their showing in the past five seasons, have 104.996 points.
6. Arsenal
The Gunners reached the Champions League semi-finals in the 2008/09 campaign and due to their steady displays, have 113.807 UEFA club coefficient points.
5. Real Madrid
The nine-times European champions have 119.522 points up to 24 April 2012 and, after six successive eliminations in the last 16 stage of the Champions League, they have reached the semi final in the last two tournaments.
4. Bayern Munich
Real’s German opponents in the 2011/12 semi finals, finished as runners-up to Inter in the 2010 final. Sitting in fourth place, Bayern have 130.970 points.
3. Chelsea
Consistently good, the Blues reached the final in 2008 earning 28.575 points and, following a fantastic display in Barcelona, are in the 2012 final in Munich. In total they have 132.807 points.
2. Manchester United
Winners in 2008 (32.575), runners-up in 2009 (28.000) and in 2011 (36.671), Man United may have been knocked out in the group stages this season, but in UEFA’s club coefficient rankings they sit second on 141.807 points.
1. Barcelona
They may be out of this season’s Champions League, but Barca top UEFA’s club coefficient rankings on a massive 156.522 points. Over those five seasons, Barca have reached the last four on three occasions and won the Champions League in 2009 and 2011.
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