5 biggest Champions League teams that will be playing Europa League this season (2021-22)

#3 Sevilla

FC Red Bull Salzburg v Sevilla FC: Group G - UEFA Champions League

Sevilla are another side whose fate, as far as their progression to the Round of 16 was concerned, was pretty much in their hands heading into Matchday 6. The Andalusians faced off against RB Salzburg, who had seven points from five games. Sevilla had six points and a win would have buoyed them onto the knockout stages.

However, Julen Lopetegui's men fell to a 1-0 defeat. Noah Okafor scored the only goal of the game in the 50th minute. Things went from bad to worse for Sevilla as central midfielder Joan Jordan was shown a red card for a foul on Karim Adeyemi in the 64th minute.

Sevilla are the most successful side in the history of the UEFA Europa League. It's a competition they love winning but we're not so sure they're chuffed about having made it in this fashion. Meanwhile, RB Leipzig have made it to the last 16 for the first time in their history.

#2 Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund v Besiktas: Group C - UEFA Champions League

Borussia Dortmund crashed out of the UEFA Champions League after losing 3-1 to Sporting Lisbon in November. Dortmund did beat Sporting 1-0 in the corresponding group stage fixture. However, the Portuguese side won by a bigger margin in the second one.

Heading into matchday six, Dortmund had six points while Sporting Lisbon had nine. But even if Sporting were to lose and Dortmund were to win, the former would go through because of a better head-to-head record.

So despite Borussia Dortmund putting five goals without reply past Besiktas and knocking them into the middle of next week, they failed to qualify. The Bundesliga side finished third in Group C and are now heading straight for the Europa League.

#1 Barcelona

FC Bayern München v FC Barcelona: Group E - UEFA Champions League

Barcelona are the biggest club to crash out of the UEFA Champions League in the group stage. This is the first time in 20 years that the Catalans have not made it to the knockout stages of the competition.

They got off to the worst possible start to their 2021-22 Champions League campaign under Ronald Koeman. Barcelona lost their first two matches to Bayern Munich and Benfica by a 3-0 scoreline. But back-to-back wins over Dynamo Kyiv while Benfica suffered heavy losses to Bayern Munich helped them get a look in.

Barcelona would have qualified for the knockout stages had they been able to get the better of Benfica on matchday five. However, they played out a goalless draw. They needed to win against Bayern Munich on matchday six but the Bavarians were operating at a different level altogether.

The Catalans were no match for them as they fell to another humiliating 3-0 loss. Barcelona will now play in the UEFA Europa League.