Bayer Leverkusen faces Qarabag with all to play for
Bayer Leverkusen is set to host Azerbaijan's Qarabag in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 on Thursday, with the series finely poised after a thrilling 2-2 draw in the first leg in Baku.
Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen has been exceptional, boasting a 10-point lead in the Bundesliga and maintaining an unbeaten streak across all competitions, including their European journey.
The German side snatched a late draw in Baku on March 7, thanks to a stoppage-time header from Czech forward Patrik Schick, setting the stage for an evenly matched second leg at the BayArena in Leverkusen. The upcoming clash, kicking off at 20:00 GMT, promises high stakes and intense competition.
Other teams like Olympique Marseille, Roma, and Liverpool have nearly secured their spots in the quarterfinals after securing significant victories in their first-leg matches. Marseille overcame Villarreal with a 4-0 win in France, Roma defeated Brighton 4-0 in Rome, and Liverpool triumphed over Sparta Prague with a 5-1 victory in the Czech Republic.
The Rangers and Benfica will also reconvene for a crucial match on Thursday, following a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Lisbon, where an own goal by English defender Connor Goldson thwarted a Scottish victory in Portugal.
The draw for the 2023-24 Europa League quarterfinals is eagerly anticipated this Friday, setting the path for the remaining contenders.
Thursday’s Europa League Fixtures:
Villarreal vs. Marseille (0-4)
Rangers vs. Benfica (2-2)
West Ham United vs. Freiburg (0-1)
Slavia Prague vs. AC Milan (2-4)
Brighton vs. Roma (0-4)
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Qarabag (2-2)
Atalanta vs. Sporting (1-1)
Liverpool vs. Sparta Prague (5-1)
