The round of 16 first legs of the Europa League were played on the grounds of Europe this Wednesday and Thursday evening. If AS Roma and Liverpool responded, Bayer Leverkusen almost got surprised. For their part, OM, the last French representative in the competition, played against Villarreal… Here’s what you need to remember.
Qarabag close to feat against Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen, leader of the German Championship, snatched a draw in Baku against Qarabag (2-2) in added time, continuing a series of 35 matches without defeat.
Qarabag led 2-0 after goals from former Lyonnais Yassine Benzia (26th) and Juninho (45+2). But Bayer also scored twice in the second half, through Florian Wirtz (70th) and Patrik Schick (90+2).
Leverkusen, first in the Bundesliga with ten points ahead of Bayern Munich (2nd), therefore remains undefeated this season in all competitions (30 wins and 5 draws), a record series for a German club.
His last setback dates back to the final day of the German Championship, during the previous year, in Bochum (3-0) on May 27, 2023.
Liverpool and AS Roma almost validated their qualification
Anything can happen in football, but not seeing AS Roma and Liverpool in the quarter-final of the Europa League would be an industrial accident as both teams did the job on Thursday evening. The Reds, first of all, never trembled on the lawn of Sparta Prague (5-1). Jurgen Klopp also allowed himself the luxury of leaving Salah and Van Dijk on the bench at kick-off before the Premier League clash against Manchester City this weekend.
For their part, the Italians completely stifled Brighton (4-0), which nevertheless has ambitions in the competition. The English did not exist, conceding two goals in the first half and two in the second and left the Italian capital with a very heavy defeat.
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Milan holds its place, Benfica hangs on
AC Milan was upset this Thursday evening at home by a good team from Slavia Prague but still won (4-2) thanks, in particular, to a goal from Olivier Giroug, who had remained silent in the previous round against Stade Rennais. The Rossoneri, who have made the competition their main objective at the end of the season, will still have to work hard next week in the Czech Republic to avoid being surprised.
Trailing twice, Benfica showed character to come back together each time and snatch a draw at home against Glasgow Rangers (2-2). Everything therefore remains open before the return match between the Portuguese and the Scots.
OM crushes Villarreal
The Marseillais released the torpedoes four times to sink the yellow submarine of Villarreal (4-0) even before the return match. For his return to the Vélodrome, Marcelino experienced a nightmarish evening. Helpless, he could only observe the Olympian domination, symbolized by the double of a rediscovered Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a double this Thursday evening against Villarreal in the Europa League. | PHOTO: GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO / EPA/MAXPPP See full screen Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a double this Thursday evening against Villarreal in the Europa League. | PHOTO: GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO / EPA/MAXPPP
Sporting and Atalanta neutralize each other
On Wednesday evening, Sporting Portugal and Atalanta met in the round of 16 first leg of the Europa League, after having already faced each other in the groups. Despite a meeting full of opportunities, the two teams ultimately ended in a draw (1-1).
Paulinho opened the scoring for the Lisbon team in the 17th minute, then Gianluca Scamacca equalized for Bergamo just before the break. Everything therefore remains possible between the two teams during the return match in Bergamo next week.
All the results of the round of 16 first legs of the Europa League
Sparta Prague – Liverpool : 1 – 5
Sporting Lisbon – Atalanta Bergamo: 1 – 1
AS Rome – Brighton : 4 – 0
Qarabag – Leverkusen: 2 – 2
AC Milan – Slavia Prague : 4 – 2
Freiburg – West Ham: 1 – 0
Marseille – Villarreal : 4 – 0
Benfica – Glasgow Rangers : 2 – 2