PARIS (AFP) - Arsenal will take on Napoli in the pick of the ties in the quarter-finals of this season's Europa League following Friday's (March 15) draw, as Chelsea were paired with outsiders Slavia Prague.
Unai Emery's team will host Napoli at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg on April 11, with the return in Italy a week later.
It is a tough draw for the Gunners, with Carlo Ancelotti's Napoli currently second in Serie A - they were eliminated from the Champions League in the group stage despite beating Liverpool at home and drawing twice with Paris Saint-Germain.
The winners of that tie will go on to a semi-final against the winners of an all-Spanish quarter-final between local rivals Valencia and Villarreal.
Both LaLiga sides defeated Russian opposition in the last 16, with Valencia edging out Krasnodar and Villarreal, who are struggling domestically, knocking out Zenit St Petersburg.
Before winning the Europa League three years running with Sevilla between 2014 and 2016, Emery really came to prominence during three years in charge of Valencia. He led them to three consecutive third-place finishes in La Liga between 2010 and 2012.
Emery and Ancelotti are both former Paris St Germain coaches, but the latter may have wished for a match-up with another of his old sides, Chelsea.
Instead, the west London club will face Slavia, heading to the capital of the Czech Republic for the first leg on April 11.
Chelsea, winners of the Europa League in 2013, will fancy their chances of advancing, although they would be wise to beware a Slavia side who are top of the Czech league and knocked out Sevilla in the last 16.
The winners of that tie will go through to a semi-final against either Benfica or dark horses Eintracht Frankfurt.
Benfica, who dropped out of this season's Champions League at the group stage, lost to Chelsea in the 2013 Europa League final and were then beaten by Sevilla on penalties in the final a year later.
Eintracht are a dangerous prospect, and the only German survivor in any European competition this season. The 1980 Uefa Cup winners, and runners-up in the European Cup in 1960, won the German Cup last season and are fresh from eliminating Inter Milan in the last 16.
This year's Europa League final will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on May 29.
The winners will secure passage to next season's Champions League group stage.
Quarter-final draw
Arsenal v Napoli
Villarreal v Valencia
Benfica v Eintracht Frankfurt
Slavia Prague v Chelsea
The first legs will be played on April 11, and the return legs on April 18.
Ikhsan Fandi's career in Norway has got off to a good start after he scored his first goal in Raufoss IL's 6-1 win over Elverum FC in a friendly. The 19-year-old pounced and smashed in a
Football: Teen forward Ikhsan Fandi off to Norway for trial
Everton's hopes of finishing in seventh and a potential Europa League qualification spot suffered a blow as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Saturday.Coming into the match on the back of four wins in
Crystal Palace 0-0 Everton: Toffees held to goalless draw
Gareth Bale '100 per cent' committed to Real Madrid despite speculation over his future, claims agent Description: Bale played the full 90 minutes when Real suffered a shock 1-0 defeat against lowly Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, but Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane later questioned whether he was fully focused.
Bale '100 percent' committed to Real, claims agent - Punch
Football: Solskjaer makes dream start as Man United thrash
Guardiola: Manchester City have raised the Premier League bar
Football: Italy upset Australia at Women's World Cup with Bonansea double; As Canarinhas thump Reggae Girlz. 22 hours ago. VALENCIENNES, France (REUTERS, THE GUARDIAN) - Barbara Bonansea scored twice to give Italy a surprise, last-gasp 2-1 victory against Australia in their opening Group C game at the women's football World Cup on Sunday (June
2019 Women's World Cup Live Updates: Australia vs. Italy
Juventus claimed their eighth consecutive Serie A title on Saturday with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Fiorentina. Alex Sandro's diving header after 37 minutes and an own goal from Fiorentina defender German Pezzella after a Cristiano Ronaldo cross on 53 minutes sealed a 35th Scudetto.
Juventus win eighth consecutive Serie A title - Daily Nation
Air Force will bring back up to 1,000 retirees to plug gap in pilots, other rated officers combat systems officers and air battle managers could return to active duty under a major new
Arsenal v Chelsea Match Report, 19/01/2019 - goal.com
Ruben Neves stunner from 25-yards hands Jurgen Klopp's side an early FA Cup exit. THIS was supposed to be Liverpool's year. They could not wait to see in 2019, to bring home the Premier League
Why Jurgen Klopp has no option but to risk another early FA
United Bank in Atmore, Alabama is a full service community bank offering personal and business accounts, loans, and trust/investment services. United Bank has served southeast Alabama and northwest Florida since 1904.
Personal & Business Bank in CT & MA | United Bank
Man United not 'satisfied' despite winning run, says De Gea. 2 Min Read. Soccer Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Manchester United - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - January 2
Man United not 'satisfied' despite winning run, says David de
Neymar was suspended for three Champions League matches by UEFA on Friday for a foul-mouthed tirade at match officials following Paris Saint-Germain's shock exit from this season's tournament to Manchester United. The Brazil star missed the 3-1 Champions League second leg last 16 defeat on March 6
Neymar banned for three Champions League matches over ref
Football: Ikhsan Fandi determined to step out of dad Fandi Ahmad's shadow and succeed in Norway stint Ikhsan Fandi tells us what his favourite local breakfast is, whether he has a girlfriend, and
Fandi's second son Ikhsan wants to step out of dad's shadow
Mauricio Pochettino has urged Daniel Levy and Tottenham Hotspur to be brave ahead of entering their new stadium next season. The Spurs manager spoke about the need for the club to come up with
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino urges Daniel Levy to 'be
0 comments:
Post a Comment