This week marks the conclusion of the Europa League round of 16, with two Premier League giants, Manchester United and Arsenal, battling it out to secure a spot in the quarter-finals. Neither team has made it to the last eight in Europe for two years, so both will be looking to make a statement.
Manchester United will reunite with former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini when they face Real Betis. The last time United were in the Europa League in 2021, they reached the final but lost on penalties to Villarreal. The Yellow Submarine eliminated Arsenal in the last four during that edition, but now the Gunners will be looking to make a comeback against Sporting Lisbon following a year without European football.
Elsewhere, Jose Mourinho’s Roma will face Real Sociedad, while two-time Champions League winners Juventus will battle Freiburg. The quarter-final draw will take place on Friday, March 17, with the balls being drawn at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland. The draw for the semi-final will also be made at 1pm UK time, and UEFA will be showing it on their website, while BT Sport will also be broadcasting the draw live from 12:30pm.
There are no seeds in the quarter-finals or country protection, which means that United and Arsenal could be drawn against each other should they both progress. The semi-final draw will also be made, so the two Premier League giants could map their potential road to Budapest if they emerge from their last-16 ties.
The quarter-final ties will be played on April 13 and April 20, while the semi-finals will take place on May 11 and May 18. The final will be held on May 31 at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary.
Manchester United will be hoping to change their fortunes in Europe this year and secure a spot in the quarter-finals. The team reached the final the last time they were in the Europa League in 2021 but lost on penalties to Villarreal. This year, they face Real Betis and will reunite with former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini.
Arsenal, on the other hand, will be looking to make a comeback after a year without European football. They were eliminated by Villarreal in the semi-finals of the Europa League in 2021 but have a chance to make a statement against Sporting Lisbon in their last-16 tie.
Jose Mourinho’s Roma will face Real Sociedad, while two-time Champions League winners Juventus will battle Freiburg. The quarter-final draw will take place on Friday, March 17, with the balls being drawn at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.
There are no seeds in the quarter-finals or country protection, which means that United and Arsenal could be drawn against each other should they both progress. The semi-final draw will also be made, so the two Premier League giants could map their potential road to Budapest if they emerge from their last-16 ties.
The quarter-final ties will be played on April 13 and April 20, while the semi-finals will take place on May 11 and May 18. The final will be held on May 31 at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary.
Fans can follow the draw for both the quarter-finals and semi-finals on UEFA’s website or BT Sport. BT Sport customers can live stream this via the app using their mobile, tablet or computer devices.
Overall, this year’s Europa League has been an exciting competition filled with surprises and upsets. With Manchester United and Arsenal both looking to secure a spot in the quarter-finals, fans can expect some thrilling matches this week.
