In the first matches of the 1/4 finals of the UEFA Europa League, Atalanta shocked Anfield by defeating Liverpool 3:0. Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica and Roma, who won at the San Siro, also won.
The return matches will take place on April 18.
Liverpool – Atalanta 0:3
A brace from Gianluca Scamacca and a goal from Mario Pasalic gave Atalanta a sensational win at Anfield, ending Liverpool’s nine-game winning run at home in the competition.
Before the first goal, Harvey Elliott’s curling shot hit the crossbar and then hit the post, while Reds goalkeeper Kevan Kelleher prevented Pasalic and Teun Koopmeiners from scoring.
Then Scamacca opened the scoring after a poor performance from the goalkeeper, and after the break he increased the visitors’ advantage with a clear volley after a pass from Charles de Ketelare. Pasalic put the finishing touches on the ball, finishing the ball into an empty net from a few meters away.
Fact: Atalanta won all three of their European matches in Liverpool, beating Jurgen Klopp’s side 2-0 in the 2020/21 Champions League group stage – three seasons after thumping Everton 5-1 in the same Europa League stage.
Liverpool – Atalanta 0:3. Best moments
“Bayer” – “West Ham” 2:0
Late goals from Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface gave Bayer Leverkusen a deserved victory against West Ham, who fought back desperately throughout the game.
The visiting goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski did not allow Alex Grimaldo, Patrik Schick and Edmond Tapsoba to score; in some episodes the defenders carried the ball out of the goal. But in the 83rd minute, Hofmann still opened the scoring, and in stoppage time he also assisted Boniface.
Fact: Bayer are unbeaten in 42 matches in all competitions this season, with only five draws.
Bayer – West Ham 2:0. Best moments
“Milan” – “Roma” 0:1
Roma gained a minimal lead heading into the second leg by beating Milan at the San Siro.
Just five days after scoring from a set-piece header in the Rome derby, Gianluca Mancini repeated the feat, scoring the only goal from a Paulo Dybala corner in the 17th minute.
Olivier Giroud came very close to the goal before the break, but his shot was cleared off the goal line, and Tijani Rynders failed to beat Mile Svilar four times.
Lorenzo Pellegrini and Brian Cristante missed opportunities to extend the visitors’ lead before Svilar turned Yacine Adly’s cross onto the woodwork and Giroud later hit the crossbar from close range.
Fact: This is Milan’s first home defeat in a European Cup quarter-final and only Roma’s third win in 16 away matches at this stage.
Milan – Roma 0:1. Best moments
“Benfica” – “Olimpic” 2:1
The top scorer in the history of the Europa League, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, has kept Olympic alive with a working chance of reaching the semi-finals.
Benfica dominated the first hour and Rafa Silva gave the hosts the lead after a fine combination. Later, Angel Di Maria shot into the far corner from a pass from David Neres.
However, Marseille were back in the game when Aubameyang pulled the ball through the Benfica defense and fired a clear shot past Anatoly Trubin for his 10th goal of the campaign and 34th in the Europa League overall.
Fact: Benfica met Olympic twice in the playoffs and both times progressed – in the semi-finals of the 1989/90 European Cup and in the 1/8 finals of the 2009/10 Europa League.
Benfica – Olympic 2:1. Best moments
Semi-final
Benfica / Olympic – Liverpool / Atalanta
Milan / Roma – Bayer Leverkusen / West Ham
The matches will take place on May 2 and 9
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