Manchester United and Tottenham have found out who they’ll play in the last 16 of the Europa League – now it’s Chelsea’s turn to discover their fate in the UEFA Conference League.
Ruben Amorim’s Premier League strugglers have been handed a difficult tie against Spanish side Real Sociedad in the last 16, while Ange Postecoglou’s men have been reunited with AZ Alkmaar – having met the Dutch side in the group stage.
Rangers are also still in the mix, and must do battle with Jose Mourinho and his Fenerbahce side, after they came through a playoff against Anderlecht.
In the Conference League, Chelsea – the heavy favourites for the competition after coming top of the league phase, winning six of six matches and scoring 26 goals – know they will face either Real Betis or FC Copenhagen in the last-16.
The Europa League draw will get under way from 12pm UK time, with the Conference League draw following at 1pm. We’ll keep you up to date here.
Borac vs SK Rapid
Panatinaikos vs Fiorentina
Pafos vs Djurgarden
Celje vs Lugano
Molde vs Legia Warsaw
Jagiellonia vs Cercle Brugge
We’ve had our draw explainer, and now we’re almost ready to go.
Let’s roll…
Host Pedro Pinto has begun the draw with the usual preamble and UEFA chief Giorgio Marchetti has now been joined by former Poland international Michal Zewlakow.
The draw for the Conference League is due to begin shortly, with Chelsea one of the eight seeded teams after they won all six of their league games.
Ange Postecoglou’s side will meet AZ Alkmaar in the last 16.
A quarter-final clash against either Ajax or Eintracht Frankfurt awaits the victor, while they will then take on either Bodo/Glimt, Olympiacos, Viktoria Plzen or Lazio if they reach the semi-finals.
Ruben Amorim’s side will face Real Sociedad in their last 16 tie.
If they are able to overcome the LaLiga side, they will then take on either Lyon or FCSB in the quarter-finals. A semi-final clash with either Fenerbahce, Rangers, Roma or Athletic Bilbao awaits the winner of that match.
Eintracht Frankfurt boss Dino Toppmoller has given his thoughts on the draw, which has set up a last 16 clash between his side and Ajax.
“We are looking forward to the matches against Ajax,” he said. “It is a very prestigious duel against a team that plays very good football. It’s also a great draw for our fans.”
Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca, meanwhile, is expecting FCSB to pose a stiff challenge for his side. “They have a good team, are strong on set pieces, and boast fast players,” he said.
Here is the updated bracket following the draw…
Last 16 Ties
Olympiacos vs Bodo Glimt
Fenerbahce vs Rangers
Ajax vs Eintracht Frankfurt
FCSB vs Lyon
AZ vs Tottenham Hotspur
Real Sociedad vs Manchester United
Viktoria Plzen vs Lazio
Roma vs Athletic Bilbao
Quarter-Final Ties
Olympiacos or Bodo Glimt vs Viktoria Plzeň or Lazio
AZ or Tottenham Hotspur vs Ajax or Eintracht Frankfurt
Fenerbahce or Rangers vs Roma or Athletic Bilbao
FCSB or Lyon vs Real Sociedad or Manchester United
Semi-Final Ties
AZ or Tottenham Hotspur/Ajax or Eintracht Frankfurt vs Olympiacos or Bodo Glimt/Viktoria Plzen or Lazio
Fenerbahce or Rangers/Roma or Athletic Bilbao vs FCSB or Lyon/Real Sociedad or Manchester United
Manchester United have been drawn to face Real Socidedad in the Last 16 of the Europa League, while Tottenham will take on AZ Alkmaar.
Thursday night saw the conclusion of the competition’s eight play-off fixtures. The winners join the eight automatic qualifiers in the last 16, with Lazio, Athletic Club, Eintracht Frankfurt, Lyon, Rangers and Olympiacos having secured their places alongside the Premier League sides.
United were paired with Spurs for the draw, meaning the duo cannot face each other until the final in Bilbao. The first legs of the last 16 will be played on 6 March, with the second legs taking place a week later on 13 March.
The Red Devils are one of the favourites to win this year’s competition, alongside Lazio, who finished the league phase at the top of the table, and Athletic Bilbao, who finished second and are aiming to feature in a final at their home ground.
AZ Alkmaar/Tottenham/Ajax/Frankfurt vs Bodo/Glimt/Olympiacos/Viktoria Plzen/Lazio
Fenerbahce/Rangers/Roma/Athletic Bilbao vs FCSB/Lyon/Real Betis/Manchester United
Bodo/Glimt or Olympiacos vs Viktoria Plzen or Lazio.
AZ Alkmaar or Tottenham vs Frankfurt or Ajax
Fenerbahce or Rangers vs Roma or Athletic Bilbao
FCSB or Lyon vs Real Sociedad or Manchester United
Athletic Bilbao have been drawn against Roma.
Viktoria Plzen will meet Lazio.
Steaua Bucharest will take on Lyon.
Manchester United will meet Real Sociedad in the last 16.
Ange Postecoglou’s side will take on AZ Alkmaar.
Eintracht Frankfurt will meet Ajax in the last 16.
Fenerbahce will take on Rangers, who have finished as runners-up twice.
The Greek club will take on the Norwegian champions.
We’ve had our draw explainer, and now we’re almost ready to go.
Let’s roll…
Host Pedro Pinto has begun the draw with the usual preamble and UEFA chief Giorgio Marchetti has now been joined by Aritz Aduriz, who twice finished as the top scorer in the Europa League.
Here is how the bracket currently looks ahead of the draw…
The knockout bracket ahead of Friday’s #UELdraw pic.twitter.com/uRKmeluc7w
The Europa League will resume next month with the last 16 ties, followed by the quarter-finals in April and the semi-finals and final in May.
There are 16 teams left in the Europa League following the play-offs and both Manchester United and tottenham are among the seeded clubs.
Seeded:
Unseeded:
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