Sports
Europa League Quarter-Final Matchups [Full List]
In a thrilling turn of events, Liverpool is poised to clash with Italian powerhouse Atalanta in the upcoming Europa League quarterfinals.
Jurgen Klopp’s formidable squad, eyeing a historic quadruple this season, will kick off the battle at Anfield on April 11 before venturing to Italy for the return leg.
Meanwhile, football fans are on the edge of their seats as AC Milan prepares to square off against AS Roma in an intense all-Italian showdown.
With Liverpool’s commanding performance in the last 16, where they trounced Sparta Prague with an impressive 11-2 aggregate score, expectations are high as they gear up to take on Atalanta, currently holding a respectable sixth position in Serie A.
The two clubs are gearing up for an intense showdown in the Europa League quarterfinals, reigniting their rivalry from the 2020/21 Champions League group stage.
The teams traded blows, with Liverpool securing a convincing 5-0 victory in Bergamo, while Atalanta delivered a surprising 2-0 upset at Anfield.
Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen, led by former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, is enjoying a sensational season.
Alonso, a frontrunner to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, has steered Leverkusen to an unbeaten run, dominating the Bundesliga with a commanding 10-point lead and just nine matches remaining in the campaign.
With a prestigious UEFA Cup win in 1988 under their belt, Leverkusen poses a formidable threat as they continue their remarkable journey this season.
Bayer Leverkusen narrowly preserved their unbeaten streak in a nail-biting match against Qarabag on Thursday.
Trailing 2-1 at home in injury time, Leverkusen staged a remarkable comeback, clinching a thrilling 3-2 victory and securing a 5-4 aggregate win in their last-16 tie.
Now, Leverkusen faces a formidable challenge in the quarterfinals against West Ham United, the reigning champions of the Europa Conference League.
West Ham advanced to this stage after defeating Freiburg in the previous round.
The winner of the Leverkusen-West Ham clash will advance to a highly anticipated semi-final, where they will meet either AC Milan or Roma.
In an exciting quarter-final showdown, former European champions Marseille and Benfica will battle it out for a spot in the Europa League semifinals.
The winner of this clash will then face the victor between Liverpool and Atalanta in the next round.
Football enthusiasts can look forward to the grand finale of this season’s Europa League, slated to take place in Dublin on May 22nd.
In the Europa League quarter-finals, the matchups are as follows:
– AC Milan (ITA) vs Roma (ITA)
– Liverpool (ENG) vs Atalanta (ITA)
– Bayer Leverkusen (GER) vs West Ham United (ENG)
– Benfica (POR) vs Marseille (FRA)
The first legs are scheduled for April 11th, with the second legs set for April 18th.
Looking ahead to the semi-finals:
– The winner of Benfica or Marseille will face the winner of Liverpool or Atalanta.
– AC Milan or Roma will take on Bayer Leverkusen or West Ham United.
The first legs of the semi-finals will be played on May 2nd, followed by the second legs on May 9th.
Sports
Chelsea Handed Injury Boost As Omari Kellyman Nears Return
Chelsea are set to receive a welcome boost with Omari Kellyman nearing a return to action after a frustrating start to his Stamford Bridge career.
The 19-year-old midfielder, who joined the Blues from Aston Villa in a £19 million summer transfer, has been sidelined with a serious hamstring injury since September.
Kellyman initially made an impression with Chelsea’s Under-21s, scoring twice in three appearances, including during a 4-2 defeat to Leipzig in the Premier League International Cup. However, his progress was halted by the injury, which has kept him out of action for months.
READ MORE: Chelsea Desires Permanent Deal For João Félix After Collapse Of Omorodion Deal
According to reports from the Daily Mail, Kellyman is now on track to return within the next four weeks, offering Chelsea a much-needed boost as the team looks to navigate a congested festive fixture schedule. The teenager is expected to be fit before Christmas and could soon make his senior debut for the club.
Reflecting on his move to Chelsea earlier this year, Kellyman expressed his excitement about joining the West London outfit. “It is fantastic to be standing here as a Chelsea player. It’s a massive club with an amazing history, so it is great to join. It is a dream come true for sure. I’m buzzing to have put on the shirt and can’t wait to get started,” he said.
Kellyman’s footballing journey began at Derby County, where he progressed through the youth ranks and was promoted to the first-team squad by Wayne Rooney at just 16 years old.
After leaving Derby for Aston Villa in 2022, he signed his first professional contract and made his Premier League debut last season against Manchester City.
Despite his brief stint at Villa, which included a Europa Conference League appearance, Kellyman made the high-profile move to Chelsea in June, signing a six-year contract.
Now, as he edges closer to full fitness, both the player and the club will hope his long-awaited debut signals the start of a successful tenure at Stamford Bridge.
Sports
Chelsea Holds Scouting Summit With Enzo Maresca
Earlier this month, Chelsea Football Club convened a comprehensive meeting of their first-team recruitment team, aimed at aligning their efforts with the club’s overarching vision.
This scouting summit brought together approximately 30 of the club’s key talent identifiers, with the objective of reinvigorating the search for future stars in world football.
Adding an extra layer of inspiration to the gathering, Leicester City manager and former Manchester City assistant, Enzo Maresca, made a guest appearance. Maresca, who briefly worked alongside some of Chelsea’s current personnel during his time under Pep Guardiola, took time to pose for a group photograph with the team. Those present reportedly left the summit feeling “enthused, energised, and as motivated as ever” to uncover the next generation of footballing gems.
READ MORE: Osimhen Casts Doubts Over Touted Winter Move To Chelsea
The Italian tactician has maintained an interest in Chelsea’s squad and their emerging talents. A source close to Maresca suggested that he harbours a keen desire to see Cole Palmer, one of Chelsea’s brightest young signings, team up with Joao Felix, the Portuguese forward who enjoyed a brief but impactful loan spell at Stamford Bridge last season.
While Palmer continues to thrive at Chelsea following his summer move from Manchester City, Felix’s future remains uncertain, with speculation persisting about whether the Blues could revisit a permanent deal for the Atlético Madrid star.
Chelsea’s recruitment team will undoubtedly keep such possibilities in mind as they look to execute their shared vision, leveraging the energy from this summit to identify players capable of complementing the club’s long-term strategy. With Maresca’s words and presence leaving a lasting impression, the search for the world’s finest footballing gems continues in earnest.
Sports
Lukeba’s €90m Clause Attracts Real Madrid, PL Clubs
RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba has become a hot topic in the transfer market following details about his new contract.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Lukeba’s release clause will come into effect in the summer of 2025, starting at around €90 million and varying from season to season.
This development has drawn the attention of football giants, with Real Madrid reportedly keeping a close watch on the French centre-back’s progress. Premier League clubs are also monitoring Lukeba as a potential defensive reinforcement for 2025.
READ MORE: Wizkid Breaks Spotify Records With ‘Kese (Dance)’ Release
The 20-year-old, who joined Leipzig from Olympique Lyonnais in 2023, has already made an impression in the Bundesliga with his composed defensive skills and tactical versatility. His rising profile has placed him among Europe’s most promising young defenders, making him a coveted target for top clubs.
Leipzig’s decision to include a fluctuating release clause highlights their commitment to protecting Lukeba’s value while leaving the door open for a future big-money move.
With Real Madrid and several Premier League sides in the mix, the 2025 summer transfer window is already shaping up to be a pivotal moment in Lukeba’s career. Fans and scouts alike will be closely watching his development as he continues to shine in Leipzig’s backline.