While the Champions League is only midway through its first knockout round, the Europa League is already through one round and is preparing for its second. That means another draw with all the excitement and anticipation that they bring. This one certainly didn’t disappoint, giving fans across Europe eight exciting ties to look forward to.
Europa League round of 16 draw gives us Liverpool vs. Manchester United
The Europa League’s second knockout round matchups have been determined.
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After a dramatic round of 32 that saw Manchester United have to come back against Midtjylland, favorites Napoli cast out by Villarreal and title holders Sevilla easily advance over Molde, the round of 16 can bring even more scintillating action, and the way the draw worked out certainly gives hope that it will be a lot of fun.
Draw
Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Anderlecht
FC Basel vs. Sevilla
Villarreal vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Athletic Bilbao vs. Valencia
Liverpool vs. Manchester United
Sparta Prague vs. Lazio
Borussia Dortmund vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Fenerbahce vs. Braga
For the first time in recent memory, the Europa League will feature a big English rivalry. Manchester United and Liverpool were already forced to take the competition seriously due to their struggles domestically, and they’ll probably field their strongest teams against each other. The other big tie of the round also features an English side, with Spurs and Dortmund both sitting in the top four of their respective leagues.
The first leg of the round of 16 ties will be played on Thursday, March 10, with the second leg one week later on Thursday, March 17
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