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.
Atalanta will be without Nigerian forward, Ademola Lookman for their crucial Champions League clash against Barcelona on Wednesday after the 27-year-old sustained a knee injury in training.
The Serie A club confirmed the news on Tuesday, revealing that Lookman had injured the lateral joint in his right knee and would not be traveling with the team to Spain.
Atalanta did not specify the exact length of Lookman’s absence, but reports from Italian media suggest he could be sidelined for up to a month.
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His absence comes as a significant blow to the team, as Lookman has been a key player this season, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists in all competitions.
Lookman was also instrumental in Atalanta’s Europa League success last season, netting a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.
His form has helped Atalanta remain competitive both domestically and in Europe, with the club still in the Serie A title race and aiming for direct qualification to the Champions League last 16.
Currently sitting in seventh place in the Champions League’s 36-club league phase, Atalanta faces a must-win situation against Barcelona, who have already secured their place in the knockout stages.
With a tight race for qualification, any result other than a victory will likely see Atalanta forced into a play-off spot.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) draw held in Rabat, Morocco, on Monday, has set the stage for an exciting football spectacle.
The tournament, scheduled to kick off on December 21, will see 24 teams battle for continental glory, with intriguing matchups promising thrilling action.
Morocco, the tournament hosts and one of Africa’s strongest teams, will begin their quest for the title against Comoros in Group A.
They are joined by Mali and Zambia, completing a group filled with potential surprises.
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Morocco, armed with Europe-based stars like Achraf Hakimi, will aim to become only the fourth AFCON host to win the title this century, following Tunisia (2004), Egypt (2006), and Ivory Coast (2024).
CAF president Patrick Motsepe expressed optimism about the tournament, calling it the “most successful AFCON yet.”
He praised Morocco’s preparations and highlighted the significance of hosting the AFCON as a stepping stone for the kingdom’s 2030 World Cup ambitions, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Originally planned for mid-2025, the tournament was rescheduled to avoid clashing with FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup in the United States.
Despite the change, excitement remains high as Africa’s best footballers converge on Morocco to vie for the continent’s top prize.
Group Stage Draw:
Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
Former Belgian international footballer, Radja Nainggolan was arrested on Monday in connection with a large-scale investigation into cocaine trafficking through the port of Antwerp, the Brussels prosecutor’s office has confirmed.
The arrest followed a series of raids conducted across Belgium in the early hours of the morning. Several suspects were detained, including Nainggolan, as part of the operation.
“The investigation concerns alleged facts of importation of cocaine from South America to Europe, via the port of Antwerp, and its redistribution in Belgium,” prosecutors said in a statement.
READ ALSO: Super Eagles Await Group Stage Fate As AFCON Draw Holds In Morocco
Further details regarding the case have not yet been made public.
Nainggolan, 36, who was born in Antwerp, recently came out of retirement to join Belgian second-division club Lokeren. The midfielder made his debut over the weekend, scoring a goal in a 1-1 draw against K. Lierse.
The former national team star enjoyed a decorated career, earning 30 caps and scoring six goals for Belgium. He also played for top Italian clubs, including Roma, Inter Milan, and Cagliari, before returning to Belgium in 2021 to join Royal Antwerp. However, his stint there ended in early 2023, following a series of controversies.
Known for his brash personality and off-field incidents, Nainggolan was suspended in late 2022 after being caught smoking an electronic cigarette on the bench, according to Belgian media.
No timeline has been given for further proceedings.
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