Now that every Bundesliga team has been eliminated from European competitions, it has been confirmed that Borussia Dortmund earned more coefficient points for Germany than any of their domestic rivals. But what, exactly, does this mean?
What is the purpose of UEFA Association Coefficient Points?
UEFA Association Coefficients are the scores given to each league within UEFA. In short, these scores are important because they determine how many European Qualification places will be awarded to each domestic league, and these scores also factor into determining the seeds of teams who qualify for Champions, Europa, or Conference League. The higher the coefficient score, the more likely a league is to gain another European place or retain its existing European places. This number is also utilized in determining revenue distribution across national associations.
How are UEFA Association Coefficient points earned?
Clubs competing in the Champions, Europa, or Conference League are awarded two coefficient points for every win, one point for a draw, and zero for a loss. There is an exception, however: only one point is awarded for a qualifying or play-off win, while half a point is awarded for a draw at the same stage.
There are also bonus points earned from advancement out of the League Phase of each tournament. For instance, Champions League teams are awarded a point and a half for reaching the Last 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final. The same principle applies to both Europa and Conference Leagues, but those advancements are worth one point and half a point, respectively.
Additional points are awarded based on a club’s final League-Phase position: The winner of the UCL League-Phase earns twelve points, with the points awarded decreasing by a quarter of a point for each subsequent position. Teams that do not advance from the League Phase of the Champions League still earn six bonus points. For the Europa League, the winner of the League Phase earns six points, while the winner of the Conference League earns four, with the same principle applying to their respective tables. Teams eliminated from the League Phase of these two competitions do not receive any bonus points.
How is the UEFA Coefficient calculated? How does it affect BVB?
This coefficient is calculated by summing the coefficient points of all clubs from any league over the most recent five-year period and then dividing that total by the number of clubs competing in UEFA club competitions. This may sound like a complicated system… and it is. Hopefully, I’ve made it a little bit easier to understand.
For this season’s competitions, Borussia Dortmund earned more coefficient points for Germany than any other team, besting Bayern Münich, who also crashed out of the Champions League quarterfinals, alongside Dortmund. Eintracht Frankfurt had a run in the Europa League, but that came short in the quarterfinals as well.
Borussia Dortmund currently holds the seventh-highest coefficient rating in all of Europe, and the second-highest in Germany, although Leverkusen is set to overtake them next season. Having such a high coefficient is why Borussia Dortmund was placed in Pot 1 for the UEFA Champions League draw. Losing out on Europe altogether next season would be a massive blow for Dortmund’s coefficient, and it could take half a decade to rebuild it.
Champions League qualifications isn't out of the question for Borussia Dortmund, but it remains doubtful, as BVB sit six points outside of the UCL qualification positions with just five matches remaining. They are however, just three points behind Conference League qualification and four points behind Europa League qualification. With a strong finish to the season, the Black and Yellows could still squeeze into European contention. They'll start this bid at home in the Borussen Derby against Monchengladbach, a direct rival for European contention.