Europa League draw LIVE: Liverpool get Atalanta, while Europe’s most-wanted manager Xabi Alonso is headed to West Ham with Leverkusen… plus Conference League draw to come

0


Advertisement

Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the quarter and semi-final draw of the 2023-24 Europa League and Conference League. Liverpool, West Ham, Aston Villa, Rangers and Bayer Leverkusen will all learn their quarter-final fate this morning. 

Tasty ties in the Europa League to come

So for those of you just joining us, you can take a look through the Europa League draw in full below!

There are a couple of tasty fixtures in there too with an all Italian derby between AC Milan and Roma, as well as West Ham vs Leverkusen, Liverpool vs Atalanta and of course Marseille vs Benfica.

Take a look at this one to refresh yourselves and find out a bit more!

So, we’ve got a little under a half hour now until the Conference League draw, so don’t go anywhere!

Still plenty of action to come with Aston Villa waving the flag for the Premier League, with the likes of Lille, Olympiacos, Fenerbahce and Fiorentina on offer.

Stick with us until 1pm to find out where they’re going, and of course, which Conference League legend will be unveiled as the special guest!

To be fair, there’s only been two Conference Leagues, so they should be a pretty familiar face indeed.

Here’s a look at the draw in full…

So here’s the quarter-final draw for you so you can visualise it a bit better, and they’ve helpfully been grouped by semi-final pairings too!

Here’s what it’s all about

Don’t think I’ve ever seen the base of the Europa League trophy, but here’s a look at the cup they’re all battling it out for.

Pick of the ties?

Well, just as quickly as it began, the draw is all wrapped up for the Europa League, but don’t forget, there’s still the Conference League to come!

Which do we think is the pick of those ties? Leverkusen vs West Ham looks a fantastic one.

Mind you, if both Leverkusen and Liverpool make the final it could be a real showdown with Xabi Alonso tipped as a contender to takeover from Jurgen Klopp at Anfield this summer by many…

Soccer Football - Europa League - Draw For Quarter Final, Semi Final and Final - UEFA Headquarters, Nyon, Switzerland - March 15, 2024 Former footballer Fernando Llorente and UEFA General Secretary and Director of Football Giorgio Marchetti during the draw REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Liverpool would be the ‘home side’ in the final

Not that it would impact the game all too much, but if Liverpool and West Ham do both get to the final, the Reds would be named as the hosts.

Just a formality, of course.

West Ham could take on AC Milan in SF 2

the victor of Milan or Roma will be the home side against Bayer Leverkusen or West Ham, that means.

And yep, no shocks from the balls, and that’s confirmation of that one.

SF1 could see Liverpool vs Benfica

Now it’s timew for the semi-final match ups…

First up in semi-final No 1 will be the winner of Benfica vs Marseille against the victor of Liverpool against Atalanta!

Benfica vs Marseille

And that of course us leaves us with Benfica, who come out first, and the Portuguese side will face Marseille!

Spanish former footballer Fernando Llorente holds the paper slip of SL Benfica during the 2023-2024 UEFA Europa League football tournament quarter-finals and semi-finals draw at the House of European Football in Nyon, on March 15, 2024. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
Soccer Football - Europa League - Draw For Quarter Final, Semi Final and Final - UEFA Headquarters, Nyon, Switzerland - March 15, 2024 Former footballer Fernando Llorente draws Olympique de Marseille REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Leverkusen vs West Ham!

Quarter-final No 3 now, and it’s Leverkusen up first.

Who will the unbeaten side be taking on?

West Ham are the next name out!

Mark Noble doesn’t look too fussed by that one…

Soccer Football - Europa League - Draw For Quarter Final, Semi Final and Final - UEFA Headquarters, Nyon, Switzerland - March 15, 2024 Former footballer Fernando Llorente draws West Ham REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
Spanish former footballer Fernando Llorente holds the paper slip of Bayer 04 Leverkusen during the 2023-2024 UEFA Europa League football tournament quarter-finals and semi-finals draw at the House of European Football in Nyon, on March 15, 2024. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

Liverpool vs Atalanta!

And next up is, oh, three-time winners Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp and Co will face… Atalanta!

Soccer Football - Europa League - Draw For Quarter Final, Semi Final and Final - UEFA Headquarters, Nyon, Switzerland - March 15, 2024 Former footballer Fernando Llorente draws Liverpool REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

AC Milan vs Roma!

First name out is… AC Milan!

And the Italian giants will face Roma!

Spanish former footballer Fernando Llorente holds the paper slip of AC Milan during the 2023-2024 UEFA Europa League football tournament quarter-finals and semi-finals draw at the House of European Football in Nyon, on March 15, 2024. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

No country protection

reminder, there is no country protection for this draw, meaning two sides from the same nation can face one another.

Right then, let’s get some names out, shall we?

It’s Fernando Llorente!

The Spanish striker who won the Europa League with Sevilla in 2015-16, but will also be fondly reminded for his goals for Swansea in the Premier League not too long ago.

Llorente is a veteran of two Europa League finals, winning just the one of them, and speaks of his love for the tournament.

He has 18 goals to his name in the competition, and surprise surprise, has tipped Liverpool or Leverkusen to go all the way this year.

The trophy is displayed ahead of the 2023-2024 UEFA Europa League football tournament quarter-finals and semi-finals draw at the House of European Football in Nyon, on March 15, 2024. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

Time for our special guest…

The final this year will be played in Dublin, at the approriately named Dublin Arena.

This is of course the final Europa League before the change in format across the three competitions, as we are reminded almost ominously before the announcement of the special guest…

Underway in Switzerland

Well we’re underway in Nyon, Switzerland as we’re treated to a rundown of all the best action from the previous round from the Europa League, which will be drawn first off.

A few famous faces in the crowd, too, and we’ve still got the special guest to meet!

Soccer Football - Europa League - Draw For Quarter Final, Semi Final and Final - UEFA Headquarters, Nyon, Switzerland - March 15, 2024 West Ham United representative Mark Noble is pictured before the draw REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
The trophy is displayed ahead of the 2023-2024 UEFA Europa League football tournament quarter-finals and semi-finals draw at the House of European Football in Nyon, on March 15, 2024. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

Good news Liverpool fans

I’m sure this is exactly the news that every other team in the draw was hoping to read.

Klopp has claimed that Salah ‘will not stop’ scoring goals.

One of those that sort of doesn’t really need to be said, that.

Salah has scored 20 in 31 games this term in all competitions to take his Liverpool tally to a staggering 206 in 336, plus another 92 assists.

Read more on that one below…

FIVE MINUTES TO GO!

All you draw enthusiasts out there will know there’s not much better than a tournament theme tune.

Here’s a nice little clip from the Europa League to get yourselves in the mood with just five minutes to go until we start the ceremonies…

Here’s an interesting one.

There’s been a battle to secure a fifth Champions League spot next season by virtue of coefficient scores across the top leagues.

Essentially, leagues with clubs that perform well in Europe can earn more coefficient points that are ranked against other divisions, with England and Germany trailling Italy for that fifth spot, with the UCL expanding to 36 teams next season.

However, with Villa, Liverpool and West Ham all making it deep into the Europa and Conference Leagues – as well as Arsenal and Man City in the UCL – the Premier League is picking up more points and has since pulled ahead of germany.

As such, West Ham’s success could mean a boost to their near rivals Tottenham, who are currently in fifth spot…

Read more at the link below for more on that one…

Plenty of goals in the Europa League last night

Leverkusen managed the only really notable comeback of the round in the Europa League last night, but there were still plenty of goals on offer.

West Ham came into their clash with Freiburg 1-0 down but five goals – including that Kudus stunner – quickly put away the Bundesliga outfit with a dominant 5-1 win in east London.

Similarly, Liverpool beat Sparta Prague 6-1 at home to win 11-2 on aggregate, while Brighton beat Roma 1-0 but were unable to overturn the 4-0 deficit, as the Seagulls came crashing down to earth.

A grand total of 30 goals across the eight games last night!

One of the great European comebacks

At first glance this just looks like a normal run of results from the previous round, doesn’t it?

Take a look at that one down the bottom between Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Oympiacos – the visitors had been beaten 4-1 on home turf but managed to turn it around, making it 4-1 on the night before forcing extra time and sealing a magnificent 6-1 win – 7-5 on aggregate!

Certainly makes that 0-0 aggregate draw between Viktoria Plzen and Servette look that little bit more drab, doesn’t it?

We’ve still got about half an hour to go until we get a few names on the board in these competitions so…

Feel free to get your heads round the draw from the Champions League, the less impressive, less prestigious older brother of the mighty Europa and Conference Leagues, which has only just come to an end!

There are some scintillating ties on offer, not to mention Arsenal vs Bayern Munich and Man City vs Real Madrid – and who could forget a replay of the icnoic La Remontada game beetween Barcelona and PSG?!

Check it all out below…

All ready to go

We’re all ready for the draw to get going as evidenced by two nearly identical videos…

Who’s in the hat?

So which 16 teams are going into the hats?

Take a look at these two handily put together graphics which show you the contenders, and there are some huge names in there.

Liverpool and West Ham bear the Premier League flag for the Europa League, while Aston Villa are doing the same in the Conference League.

Some giant names though to try and get past in the Europa League, with AC Milan, Atalanta, Benfica, Marseille, Roma and unbeaten Leverkusen all in the mix.

Two staggering goals this week

But it was also a round of stunning goals in the Europa League and Conference League this week.

Take a look at these two offerings from both competitions and see if you can pick a winner.

That Kudus one is pretty special for my money.

One of the great moments in European football

This is a great one to kick us off.

Bayer Leverkusen scraped through to the last-eight of the Europa League and preserved their precious unbeaten record in the process, but it was a game that saw one of the greatest moments in European club football history.

In an incredibly, skin-crawlingly awkward passage, Qarabag defender Elvin Cafarguliyev was left hanging by Anthony Taylor before being sent off in a double whammy – compounded further by the fact his side were knocked out of the competition in added time.

Read the story below for more on that one!

Good morning!

Welcome everyone to this morning’s Europa League and Conference League draw coverage, which we will be bringing to you live as names come out of balls.

Stick around as we build up to the ceremony and bring you all the latest news from UEFA’s second and third tier competitions!

EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Paul Currie/Shutterstock (14385501en) Mohamed Salah of Liverpool Liverpool v Sparta Prague, UEFA Europa League, Round of 16, Second Leg, Football, Anfield, Liverpool, UK - 14 Mar 2024
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta celebrates scoring his side's first goal with Vladimir Coufal, Michail Antonio and Kurt Zouma during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between West Ham United FC and Sport-Club Freiburg at Olympic Stadium on March 14, 2024 in London, England.(Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Key Updates

  • Tasty ties in the Europa League to come

  • Here’s a look at the draw in full…

  • West Ham could take on AC Milan in SF 2

  • SF1 could see Liverpool vs Benfica

  • Benfica vs Marseille

  • Leverkusen vs West Ham!

  • Liverpool vs Atalanta!

  • AC Milan vs Roma!

  • Underway in Switzerland

  • One of the great moments in European football





Source link

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.