MADRID, March 17 (EUROPA PRESS) –
Sevilla did not have much luck and will face off against Manchester United in the quarterfinals of the Europa League, a cross against one of the ‘coconuts’ and the main favorite to lift the trophy, according to the draw held at the headquarters UEFA in Nyon (Switzerland).
In the rest of the qualifiers, Juventus will face Sporting de Portugal, a duel on the same side of the table as the Seville, while there will also be a Bayer Leverkusen-Union St. Gilliose and the reissue of the Conference League final of the last course between Feyenoord and Rome.
The Sevillians, ‘executioners’ of Turkish Fenerbahce in the round of 16 and ‘kings’ of the competition with six crowns to their credit, did not have much luck in the draw for the European tournament, which produced the top favorite to win the title, the Manchester United. In addition, the ‘Red Devils’ are being the black beast of Spanish football this season, since in the round of 16 they ‘killed’ FC Barcelona and in the round of 16 they eliminated Real Betis, with a recital of ‘punch’ in the first leg in Old Trafford.
A great moment of form for the third-placed player in the Premier League that contrasts with a Sevilla that is experiencing one of its most irregular seasons in its recent history. In the middle of the fight to get away from the red zone in LaLiga Santander, the Europa League seems like the oasis that those from Nervión need, where they can play without so much pressure and for a goal that they have already achieved and that could give them the Champions League prize if they lift the title.
In addition, the statistics help him think that, despite the favoritism of the English, tournament champions in 2017, they can believe in passing a tie in which they will play the second leg at home. And it is that the Sevilla team was proclaimed champion the six times they reached these quarterfinals.
Likewise, the precedents against United are positive, since in the Champions League of the 2017-18 season they eliminated them in the round of 16, winning in the second leg at Old Trafford. In the last direct duel, in the semifinals of the 2020 Europa League, they beat a match in Germany, due to COVID, before lifting their sixth Europa League.
If Jorge Sampaoli’s team manages to leave the dangerous and powerful United on the road, the Andalusians would come across the winner of Juventus-Sporting. The Italians, from less to more this season and with prominent names such as Vlahovic or Di María, would be the toughest opponent, also as a potential candidate to win the trophy. For what would be two big steps before the final in Budapest.
While the Portuguese will face the cross against the ‘Vecchia Signora’ as the surprising executor of Arsenal, the main favorite to be proclaimed champion. But the ‘Gunners’ said goodbye to the European dream too soon, in a penalty shootout in which the Portuguese goalkeeper, Antonio Adán, put on the hero’s cape to stop the penalty that would be final, to be in the quarterfinals for the seventh occasion in its history, the first for five years.
On the other side of the table, a Leverkusen-Union SG will live, with the clear favoritism of the Germans against the Belgians, the ‘Cinderella’ of this round. While the last quarterfinal confrontation will be starred by the Dutch Feyenord and the Italian Roma, in the reissue of the final of the Conference League last season, which was won by José Mourinho’s men.
The ‘Giallorossi’ eliminated Real Sociedad in the round of 16, after a solid and effective tie in which they won 2-0 at the Olímpico. A result that they asserted in the second leg at the Reale Arena, with a 0-0 score that decided the match in their favor. In front will be a Feyenoord a priori below in terms of potential, but who beat Shakhtar Donest with a powerful 8-2 overall.
The first legs of the Europa League quarterfinals will be played on April 13 and the return ones a week later, on the 20th. While the semifinal duels are scheduled for May 11, the first leg and the 18, turn around.
– EUROPA LEAGUE QUARTER-FINAL PAIRINGS.
Manchester United – SEVILLE
Juventus – Sporting CP
Bayer Leverkusen – Union SG
Feyenoord – Rome