The draw for the last 16 of the Europa League produced some interesting pairings, some old acquaintances, but not the big derby.
The two big favorites will travel to Prague, after Milan was drawn with Slavia, while Liverpool of Kosta Csimika was drawn with Sparta.
Roma will host an Italian and sought-after manager, Roberto de Gerbi, and Brighton.
Freiburg was drawn with Dinos Mavropanos’ West Ham and Sporting with Atalanta, two pairs that had also clashed in the group stage and indeed the first in the Olympiakos group.
The game of Marseille, now the top scorer of the tournament, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, against last year’s 2021 holders Villarreal is great, while the Bundesliga leader and the only unbeaten team of the season from the major leagues, Leverkusen, will face the first team from Azerbaijan to it reaches as far as Garabagh.
Finally, Benfica, who lost the 2013 and 2014 finals, are looking for the trophy against Rangers, who also lost the 2008 and 2022 finals.
The couples of the round of 16
Sparta – Liverpool
Marseille – Villarreal
Roma – Brighton
Benfica – Rangers
Freiburg – West Ham
Sporting – Atalanta
Milan – Slavia
Garabagh – Leverkusen
The first matches will be held at the headquarters of the first teams on March 7 and the second at the headquarters of the second teams on the 14th of the month. Times will be announced by UEFA upon consultation.
The final will be held on Wednesday, May 22 at the “Aviva” in Dublin.
Capacity groups
Strong: West Ham, Brighton, Rangers, Atalanta, Liverpool, Villarreal, Slavia, Leverkusen
Underdogs: Freiburg, Garabagh, Milan, Benfica, Roma, Marseille, Sparta, Sporting
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