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Europa League Quarter-Final Draw Confirmed [Full Fixtures]
The draw for the quarter-finals of this season’s UEFA Europa League (UEL) was conducted in Nyon on Friday.
The draw was streamed live on UEFA’s official website from 1 pm, Nigerian time.
The quarter-final fixtures will take place on the 13 and 20 of April.
The semi-final fixtures will take place on 11 and 18 of May.
The final takes place at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna on 31 May.
Below is the Europa League quarter-final draw:
Manchester United vs Sevilla
Juventus vs Sporting Lisbon
Bayer Leverkusen vs Union SG
Feyenoord vs AS Roma
March 17, 2023
BREAKING: Europa League group stage draw released [Full fixtures]
The 2022/2023 UEFA Europa League group stage draw has been released.
The Europa League draw was conducted in Istanbul, Turkey.
The draw, streamed on the UEFA website, was released on Friday.
See full fixtures below:
Group A: Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, FK Bodø/Glimt, Zurich
Group B: Dynamo Kyiv, Rennes, Fenerbahçe, AEK Larnaca
Group C: Roma, Ludogorets, Real Betis, HJK
Group D: Braga, Malmo, Union Berlin, St Gilloise
Group E: Manchester United, Real Sociedad, Sheriff Tiraspol, Omonoia
Group F: Lazio, Feyenoord, Midtjylland, Sturm
Group G: Olympiacos, Qarabag, Freiburg, Nantes
Group H: Crvena zvezda, Monaco, Ferencvaros, Trabzonspor
August 26, 2022
UEFA scraps away goals in Champions League, Europa League
UEFA’s Executive Committee has finally scrapped the away goals rule.
The away goals rule will be removed from all UEFA club competitions in the 2021/2022 season.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
This means fixtures in which the two teams score the same number of goals over the two legs will now have two 15-minute periods of extra time, and, if required, penalty kicks.
The statement read in part: “The away goals rule has been an intrinsic part of UEFA competitions since it was introduced in 1965. However, the question of its abolition has been debated at various UEFA meetings over the last few years.
“Although there was no unanimity of views, many coaches, fans and other football stakeholders have questioned its fairness and have expressed a preference for the rule to be abolished.
“There is also criticism of the unfairness, especially in extra time, of obliging the home team to score twice when the away team has scored.
“It’s fair to say that home advantage is nowadays no longer as significant as it once was.
“Taking into consideration the consistency across Europe in terms of styles of play, and many different factors which have led to a decline in home advantage, the UEFA Executive Committee has taken the correct decision in adopting the view that it’s no longer appropriate for an away goal to carry more weight than one scored at home.“
June 24, 2021
Villarreal win Europa League after beating Manchester United

Spanish side Villarreal beat Manchester United 11-10 in a penalty shootout to win the Europa League on Wednesday in Gdansk.
Edinsob Cavani had canceled out Gerard Moreno’s opening goal before 9,500 fans, sitting in the stands of the stadium in the Polish city.
Manchester United made a strong start to press high and forced “El Submarino Amarillo” to play defensively in the beginning period.
Villarreal’s goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli saved Marcus Rashford’s effort from distance, while Edinson Cavani could not tap in after a stunning pass by Mason Greenwood found him in the penalty area.
Instead of shooting, Cavani tried to pass to Rashford and he missed a perfect chance to break the deadlock.
The “Red Devils” soon paid a huge price for their ineffectiveness.
The team coached by Unai Emery woke up and tried to take the initiative to threaten De Gea.
Gerard Moreno found the net with 29 minutes on the clock.
Dani Parejo lifted in a free-kick, while Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof were not able to stop Moreno.
He beat David de Gea from close range by arrowing the ball into the near post, and Villarreal only needed just one shot on target to lead 1-0 after the first half.
However, Manchester responded just after the break.
Scott McTominay’s shot was deflected over the bar by Torres, but in the 55th minute, Cavani showed ruthlessness.
Luke Shaw found Rashford from a corner-kick before the England striker hammered a dangerous shot.
After three ricochets, the ball landed in the path of Cavani who made no mistake.
The team from Old Trafford continued the momentum to try to give Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his first trophy as Manchester United manager.
It seemed at a time the “Red Devils” were close to breaking Villarreal’s record, who won 11 games and drew just one in the Europe League campaign.
Manchester kept the ball in Villarreal’s half to create more chances.
But they created one chance only in the 71st minute, when Pau Torres made a crucial block to stop Cavani’s header after a fast attack by Luke Shaw from the left.
As it turned out, neither Manchester nor Villarreal found a decider in 90 minutes or in extra time and the penalty kicks shootout had to be the decider.
Ten consecutive penalties were scored before goalkeeper Rulli became the hero for Villarreal.
The Argentinian beat De Gea and then saved the Spaniard’s effort to lead his team to the troph
May 27, 2021
Europa League final in Poland to be played before fans
The final of the Europa League in Gdnansk later this month can take place with up to 9,500 fans, European football ruling body UEFA said on Monday.
UEFA said this followed agreement with Polish authorities.
The stadium can use up to 25 per cent of its capacity for the May 26 final.
But foreign fans will have to observe coronavirus rule for entry into Poland and restrictions when there.
Tickets went on sale on Monday and are available until Friday.
The semi-final second legs are this Thursday when Manchester United defend a 6-2 lead away to Roma and Arsenal attempt to overcome a 2-1 deficit at home to Villarreal.
May 4, 2021
Benzema spares Zidane Europa League humiliation
It was a chilly night in the Spanish capital, but Real Madrid did not freeze. On the contrary, everything clicked into place for Zinedine Zidane – and not a moment too soon.
Karim Benzema was at his lethal best, Sergio Ramos returned to galvanise the defence and the record 13-time European champions flexed their muscles to blow away Borussia Monchengladbach and quieten the Europa League jibes being thrown their way.
Real Madrid have never failed to make it out of their Champions League group and despite fears among their fans and media in the Spanish capital, that proud record never looked in doubt at the Alfredo di Stefano on Wednesday.
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Zidane’s side won 2-0 thanks to Benzema’s headed brace, but it might have been five, six or seven, such was their dominance.
It had been a dismal group phase for Madrid until this point, with six of their seven points coming against a weak Inter, and the other in a snatched 2-2 draw at Gladbach.
The good news was their captain’s return from injury, with Madrid suffering eight defeats in their last 10 Champions League games without Ramos. Among the worst of those were the two recent early exits against Man City and Ajax, both in the last 16.
The 35-year-old’s leadership was keenly felt, and heard, as he marshalled and instructed the defence throughout, as Madrid kept only their second clean sheet of the group phase.
Benzema took care of things at the other end of the field. The Frenchman celebrated equalling Roberto Carlos’ record of 527 games for a non-Spanish player at Madrid by sending his side ahead with a brilliant header from Lucas Vazquez’s cross in the ninth minute.
Alassane Plea might have equalised for Gladbach when he ran through on goal moments later but clipped his effort over Courtois and wide of the post, in the Germans’ only promising moment in the first half.
The rest was one-way traffic, with Luka Modric hitting the post and having a goal disallowed for offside, while Benzema headed in his second goal in much the same way he managed his first, this time connecting with a ball that Brazilian forward Rodrygo Goes had served up on a silver platter.
In Madrid’s 1-0 win over Sevilla last weekend, we saw signs of them getting back on the right path after a shaky start to the season, showing the kind of discipline and desire that propelled them to the Liga title last season.
This performance raised the bar further, with Zidane’s resurgent side not just defending well but looking confident and sure of themselves, trusting in one another, their prestige and their undoubted individual quality.
Most importantly, they worked hard, which wasn’t the case in recent defeats by Valencia and Alaves.
This was the perfect warm-up, then, for Saturday’s Madrid derby clash with rivals Atletico, and the ideal way to lighten the load on Zidane. It’s unlikely he’ll face any more direct questions about his future, at least until the Champions League resumes in 2021.
Madrid were helped by Gladbach’s dismal display, with the visitors looking every bit the team that collapsed in the final three minutes of the pair’s 2-2 draw at Borussia-Park in October, rather than the exciting side that steamrollered los Blancos for the first 87 minutes of that game.
Benzema came within inches of a hat-trick with an effort that smashed against the crossbar, Sommer produced a spectacular save to deny Ramos, while Vazquez hit the near post too as Real ran riot.
Benzema had another chance at the death but this time he was unable to nod the ball home. Third time unlucky, but no unlucky third place for Madrid.
Despite all the mounting doubts and criticism, Zidane led his side to top spot in Group B. Mission accomplished, order restored.
December 10, 2020
David Luiz to miss Arsenal’s Europa League game
Davis Luiz is set to miss Arsenal’s Europa League game against Rapid Vienna on Thursday as he continues to recover from the head injury he sustained against Wolves.
The Brazilian defender clashed heads with Wolves striker Raul Jimenez early into Sunday’s match, resulting in a lengthy delay of around 10 minutes as paramedics and medical staff saw to both players.
Jimenez was stretchered off and later underwent an operation on a fractured skull while Luiz was allowed to continue with a bandaged head after receiving seven stitches in a three-inch wound.
Although he returned to the pitch, he was withdrawn at half-time with the club stating the substitution was due to bleeding and discomfort from the cut.
The club have since released a statement defending the decision to allow Luiz to continue, saying ‘protocols were completed’ with the player showing no signs of concussion.
However, due to the deep cut he received, he will be unable to feature for Mikel Arteta’s side at the Emirates on Thursday evening.
The statement continued: “David was visited at home by our club doctor on Monday during the scheduled day off and reported to our training centre on Tuesday.
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December 2, 2020
Arteta sends message to Willock after Europa League win
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has stressed Joe Willock’s chance to impress in the Premier League will come after the youngster once again impressed in the club’s 4-1 win over Molde in the Europa League on Thursday.
The 21-year-old helped the Gunners overturn an early deficit by forcing two own goals before rounding out the scoring in the 88th minute.
Willock has featured in all three of Arsenal’s Europa League games to date but is yet to make a Premier League appearance for Arteta’s side this campaign.
The Gunners boss liked what he saw from the promising midfielder on Thursday, however, and hinted his chance to play on the domestic front again will come in time.
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“Joe Willock could have scored more, he created a goal and a good performance,” Arteta told BT Sport post-match. “Keep doing what he is doing consistently and his chance will arrive [in the Premier League].
“I really like the approach that the younger players are having for each game, they want to make the difference, they are playing with a lot of personality.
“It was really important for us to win tonight and go top of the group. We had a convincing victory and the boys tried to go for them from the first minute. We went a goal behind but it was about the reaction, we created lot of chances.
“If they did not score the own goals, we had players there for the tap in. We could sustain attacks and we did not want to let them run on the counter because they are a threat.”
Willock, who made 29 Premier League appearances last season, is happy to wait for his chance to impress and is ready to take any opportunity with both hands.
“I’m just taking it game by game. It’s part of my journey and I’m just a kid. I have to keep learning. I’m trying to work hard and when I get a chance in the Premier League, hopefully I can do the same thing,” Willock told BT Sport.
On the Molde match and his goal, Willock added: “In the first half they started really sharp and we had to stick with it. We didn’t get frustrated. I had a couple of chances earlier in the game but I wasn’t making a mistake with that one.”
November 6, 2020
Leicester City’s Iheanacho reacts after Europa League win over Braga
Kelechi Iheanacho believes Leicester City cannot afford to rest on their laurels as they still have a long way to go in the Europa League.
The 24-year-old produced a man of the match performance in their 4-0 victory over Sporting Braga in the European competition on Thursday night.
Iheanacho, who was handed his second start in the tournament, scored twice and set up another to help his side secure their third consecutive win in the competition.
The victory ensured the King Power Stadium outfit strengthens their lead at the top of Group G with nine points from three games.
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The Nigeria international has expressed his delight with his side’s current form but warned that much work still needs to be done to ensure their progress in the tournament.
“We’re in a great position in the group. We still have a long way to go, but it’s about keeping going, taking it game by game and let’s see,” Iheanacho told the Europa League website.
“The first goal came from a rebound and I was maybe a little bit lucky with the second too. Thankfully they all count! I’m happy to score again.
“It was a good win for us. We did well, scored some good goals and deserved to win in the end.”
Iheanacho has now scored three goals in the Europa League since he made his debut against Zorya Luhansk in October.
The centre-forward is hoping to continue his eye-catching performances for the Foxes in the 2020-21 campaign.
“I just need to keep working in training and doing my job. We have a great squad and everyone is doing his best,” he continued.
Leicester will take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in their next Premier League game on Sunday and Iheanacho is already looking forward to the match.
“This game is gone now. We enjoy it today but we focus on the Premier League now. I hope we can keep our winning run going,” he added.
The Nigeria international has featured in seven games across all competitions for Leicester in the current campaign, scoring three goals and providing three assists.
The forward will be expected to replicate his scintillating performances for the Super Eagles in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game against Sierra Leone on November 13.
November 6, 2020