Read the UEFA Europa League handbook

As the UEFA Europa League group stage kicks off this week, UEFA.com brings you the statistics handbook – the comprehensive guide to the competition.

An online publication that will be updated throughout the campaign, the handbook is split into seven sections ranging from fixtures and results from this season and last, to profiles of each of the 48 group stage clubs, via an ever-expanding list of all-time statistics. There is much more to enjoy too in the downloadable sections that combine to provide a thorough compendium.

Part 1: Results and fixtures
Trace Tromsø IL's journey from first qualifying round to group stage or follow your own team's bid to make the 14 May final at the Juventus Stadium in Turin. This section will be updated after each round of matches during the season.

Part 2: Club profiles
Background information on all 48 sides still in the competition including their all-time European record, club records in terms of appearances and goals, and plenty of other details.

Part 3: The referees
An in-depth look at the officials in UEFA's elite and elite development refereeing categories, and brief information on those in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd categories.

Atlético won the first edition©Getty Images

Part 4: UEFA Europa League history: 2009–13
Key statistics from the competition going back to its inaugural season of 2009/10. Tournament rankings by both club and country; all-time player appearances and goalscorers; and records from the group and knockout stages – to name but six of the categories involved.

Part 5: UEFA Europa League finals
Full results and match information from the first four finals, including statistics related to the winning coaches, captains and sides, the youngest and oldest players, attendances and nations represented in finals. The identity of the only player to have won the competition with two different clubs and much more are in here.

Branislav Ivanović was last year's match winner©Getty Images

Part 6: Last season
Results of the 2012/13 campaign, beginning with the play-off round and going all the way to Chelsea FC's memorable final defeat of SL Benfica in the dying seconds at the Amsterdam ArenA.

Part 7: All-time records
Covering the UEFA Cup from its inception in 1971 to the competition's 2009 rebranding as the UEFA Europa League and up to the present day, these comprehensive lists span clubs rankings, player appearances and goalscorers. Which club is the most successful in the tournament's history? Who has made the most appearances? And who has scored the most goals? The answers are here.