Europa League: Real-Liverpool and PSG-Bayern face off in the last sixteen
The heat was palpable since the end of the group stage. The names of the group champion and runner-up teams were telling, this time the traditional fight will be seen in the knockout. As expected, so it is. Now the countdown to the last sixteen has begun with multiple thrilling battles. Where the last two finalists Real Madrid and Liverpool are also going to face each other.
For Real, this fight will retain superiority, but for Liverpool, it will be one of revenge. Earlier in 2018 also, the ‘All Reds’ were deprived of the title after losing against Real in the Europa League final.
Europa League
Not only in the Real-Liverpool match but also in the PSG-Bayern Munich match. PSG’s match with Benfica in the group stage, win, draw, loss, points, own goals, and away goals were all equal.
Later, PSG had to become group runners-up after falling behind on away goals. Kylian Mbappe, the team’s star player, also spoke of his disappointment after finishing as the group runner-up.
Besides, the French star also reminded that the title should be won by defeating the big team. Mbappe’s comments were not in vain. Messi-Neymar-Mbappera found Bayern Munich, who was behind the departure of the former champion and Barcelona, in the last sixteen.
In 2020, PSG lost to Bayern in the final. So it’s a revenge match for PSG like Liverpool.
Because of these two big fights, the other fights are somewhat overshadowed. But even in those matches, it is hot to meet. AC Milan-Tottenham, Borussia Dortmund-Chelsea, and Frankfurt-Napoli will not be left out.
Europa League Although somewhat unequal in strength, RB Leipzig will want to make new history by surprising Manchester City. All in all, football lovers can wait for a knockout fight full of thrills.
Europa League Who is facing whom?
RB Leipzig: Manchester City
Bruga: Benfica
Liverpool: Real Madrid
AC Milan: Tottenham
Frankfurt: Napoli
Borussia Dortmund: Chelsea
Inter Milan: Porto
PSG: Bayern Munich
* The Europa League’s first leg will be held on 14, 15, 21, and 22 February 2023, and the second leg will be held on 7, 8, 14, and 15 March.
More: Champions League: Gerard Pique announced his retirement
United faces Barcelona in the playoffs
The rule has been introduced by UEFA since last time. The Europa League previously featured 32 teams in the second round. A last-sixteen knockout playoff phase was introduced in a change from last time. The eight group runners-up from the Europa League group stage and the third-placed team from each group in the Champions League will face each other in the playoffs.
The eight teams that win this playoff will play against the eight group champions of the Europa League in the last sixteen. The Champions League draw was followed by the Europa League knockout play-off draw today at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon.
Let’s find out which teams are facing whom in the knockout playoffs.
Who Faces Who in Knockout Playoffs:
Barcelona – Manchester United
Juventus-Nante
Sporting Lisbon–Mitiulan
Shakhtar Donetsk–Renaissance
Ajax-Union Berlin
Leverkusen – AS Monaco
Sevilla: – PSV
Salzburg – AS Roma
The three big clubs Barcelona, Manchester United, and Juventus went down to the Europa League as they finished third in their group in the Champions League. Between these three teams in the playoffs, the Barca-United fight will spread more heat.
The first leg of this knockout playoff clash will be held on February 16 next year. The return leg is on February 23.