Tournament details | |
---|---|
Dates | 28 June 2011 – 19 May 2012 |
Teams | 32 (group stage) 75 (total) (from 52 associations) |
Final positions | |
Champions | Chelsea (1st title) |
Runners-up | Bayern Munich |
Tournament statistics | |
Matches played | 125 |
Goals scored | 345 (2.76 per match) |
Top scorer(s) | Lionel Messi (14 goals) |
The 2011–12 UEFA Champions League was the 57th season of Europe's premier club football tournament organised by UEFA, and the 20th season in its current UEFA Champions League format. As part of a trial that started in the 2009–10 UEFA Europa League, two extra officials – one behind each goal – were used in all matches of the competition from the play-off round.
The final was held at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.Chelsea's caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo led the club to win their first UEFA Champions League title after beating Bayern Munich 4–3 on penalties in the final. They earned a berth at the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup and 2012 UEFA Super Cup. Barcelona were the defending champions, but were eliminated by the eventual winners Chelsea in the semi-finals.
A total of 76 teams participated in the 2011–12 Champions League from 52 UEFA associations (Liechtenstein organises no domestic league competition). Associations are allocated places according to their 2010 UEFA country coefficients, which takes into account their performance in European competitions from 2005–06 to 2009–10.
Below is the qualification scheme for the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League:
Since the winners of the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League, Barcelona, obtained a place in the group stage through their domestic league placing, the reserved title holder spot in the group stage was effectively vacated. To compensate: