UEFA Europa League – Round of 16 Analysis and Highlights
The UEFA Europa League saw some cracking matches this week with several European sides already sealing the tie within the first leg. Some of the sides knocked out of the Champions League group stages now find themselves battling it out with some top teams from across the continent and it won’t be easy for any club to progress into the next round. That being said, several ties that took place this week included some shocking results with some of the ties already one-sided going into the second leg which will take place next week. Stay tuned for all the latest Europa League action right here.
The UEFA Europa League round of 16 went underway this week and the competition has never been more exciting for a spectator. Several key results took place, and many sides will be scratching their heads as to how they didn’t achieve victory. ©Pexels/Pixabay
One of the biggest results of the week was the 2-4 match between Borussia Dortmund and Rangers, hosted at the Signal Induna Park, the Scottish side did brilliantly to clutch a result from this tie. Scoring 4 goals away from home is no small task and since the departure of Steven Gerrard, Giovanni Van Bronckhorst has done a fantastic job to maintain the high standard of football Rangers have been playing over the past few seasons. In a team with few well-known stars, they pulled off a terrific performance to blow Dortmund away, scoring three goals in the first half and then adding a fourth shortly after the second half began.
Rangers were able to stun Dortmund early on after they earned a controversial penalty thanks to an intervention from VAR after a missed handball following a corner. James Tavernier converted coolly from the spot and the Scots who traveled to Germany could sense an upset from the very moment the first goal went in. They dared to believe that the Scottish champions could come to one of the most feared stadiums in Europe and snatch a great historic win. Which they of course did. The conference league was also in action but most of the spectator attention remained on the Europa League.
John Lundstram’s fantastic strike from outside the box followed on from an Alfredo Morelos tap-in, with many clubs watching on, the striker is rumored to seek a move away from Rangers this summer should an opportunity present itself. Finding themselves 3-0 down at home shocked the players and fans alike. Despite this, the German side managed to get back into the tie after England international Jude Bellingham coolly slotted past the Rangers goalkeeper. One Erling Haaland was missing from the Dortmund side, and it really showed as the Germans failed to create any real threat and despite their two goals, they were severely outclassed in both attack and defense.
Results Roundup
Barcelona were also in action in the round of 16 as they faced Napoli at the famous Nou Camp. For football fans across the world, it may shock them to see the Catalan giants play in the second-tier European competition, but the steady decline of the club has never been more apparent than it is now. New signings Ferran Torres, Adama Traore and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang all featured but only Torres was able to supply a goal for the hosts. The ex-Manchester City winger left the pitch in tears at full time after missing a handful of chances that could’ve won his side the match.
Real Betis were able to achieve a 3-2 away from home to Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg, reflecting the fine form that Betis have been in all season. Arsenal loanee Hector Bellerin stood out among star performers to put in a brilliant effort in the first tie of the last sixteen. Atalanta also beat Olympiakos 2-1 at home which leaves them set up well for the r/return leg in Greece. Last but not least, Sheriff Tiraspol, perhaps most famous for beating Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, capped off the first leg with a 2-0 victory over European regulars Sporting Braga.
