LONDON • Arsenal were able to count on a team of superheroes as they overturned a two-goal deficit to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League, but their next opponents are unlikely to allow them the same luxury of drawing on their powers of recovery.
They were yesterday paired with Napoli in the pick of the ties following the draw, with Unai Emery's team playing at the Emirates in the first leg on April 11 before the return leg in Italy a week later.
The winners of that tie will go on to a semi-final clash against the victors of the all-Spanish meeting between LaLiga teams Valencia and Villarreal. Peter Lim-owned Valencia were on their way out before Goncalo Guedes struck a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser against Krasnodar on Thursday to progress 3-2 on aggregate.
Chelsea, Europa League winners in 2013, will fancy their chances of advancing against Czech side Slavia Prague after smashing Dynamo Kiev 5-0 for an 8-0 aggregate win, while Eintracht Frankfurt will next take on Portuguese outfit Benfica.
While Emery's men have arguably a harder path to the May 29 final in Baku, with Napoli currently second in Serie A, the Spaniard feels pressure brings out the best in his team as "the difficult moments give us our best performance".
Speaking after the 3-0 second-leg win over Rennes during which Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrated his brace with a mask from the film Black Panther, he said: "I'm excited (about) this competition.
"It's exciting not only for the possibility to go to the Champions League, but also because it's a title.
"Today, Inter (Milan), Sevilla are out, a big surprise. The last teams, they're all very important, and it's going to be very difficult. We're going to think the same before every match. The next match is the most important for us."
After Arsenal became only the second Europa League side to come back from 3-1 down after Fulham in 2010, Aubameyang tweeted his delight at the draw, claiming he was looking forward to meeting his friends, Napoli defenders Kevin Malcuit and Faouzi Ghoulam.
He also told reporters the mask "represented him", adding: "In Gabon, we call the national team the Panthers."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS, THE TIMES, LONDON
But we must worry about ourselves and not Germany. I don't think we are favourites but that is up to you members of the media to decide." Van Dijk. "There were times where we did not put
We're not favourites towards Germany: Van Dijk - Latest News
MADRID (AP) — Mauricio Pochettino will continue to be praised for his managerial style, but not yet for his titles. He's yet to win one. Pochettino lost his latest bid for a title when Tottenham fell to Liverpool 2-0 in the Champions League final on Saturday. The coach credited with turning
Tottenham may not be ready to win trophies, says Mauricio
Tottenham's Kane has been ready to play for 10 days - Pochettino. "Harry Kane is one of the best strikers in the world and of course for a team like us it's a massive impact to have him
Tottenham's Kane has been ready to play for 10 days
'No issue' with faith in youth, Football News & Top Stories
In 2003, Adidas filed a lawsuit in a British court challenging Fitness World Trading's use of a two-stripe motif similar to Adidas's three stripes. The court ruled that despite the simplicity of the mark, Fitness World 's use was infringing because the public could establish a link between that use and Adidas's mark.
Real Madrid knocked out of Champions League by brilliant Ajax . After winning the last three titles in a row, Real Madrid humiliated by Dutch squad 4-1 at home.
Real Madrid 1-4 Ajax: Brilliant visitors knock out Champions
Alex Telles stepped up to the penalty spot to send Porto into the Champions League quarter-finals with a win over Roma in a game dominated by VAR. Tiquinho Soares put the home side ahead midway
Jimenez, Jota slay United as Wolves reach FA Cup semis. Richard Martin. Soccer Football - FA Cup Quarter Final - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton
Football: Jimenez, Jota slay Man United as Wolves reach FA
Experienced Liverpool making a big statement, says Klopp "We have been together for a while, we needed to be more mature," Klopp said. "The boys made their own experience in this
Experienced Liverpool making a big statement, says Klopp
huffington-global.com/experienced-liverpool-making-a-big-statement-says-klopp/
Experienced Liverpool making a big statement, says Klopp. PORTO (Reuters) - Liverpool face a testing Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, but have made a statement by reaching the last four for the second straight year and are equipped to deal with the very best, manager Juergen Klopp said.
Football: Experienced Liverpool making a big statement, says
Barcelona took a step closer to the La Liga title after earning a hard-fought 2-1 win over Real Sociedad at the Nou Camp. Barca put one hand on title after edging past Sociedad
Solskjaer says his contract with Molde has expired, paving the way for him to take the Man Utd job Molde agreed to "lend" United Solskjaer until the end of the season following Jose Mourinho's
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirms contract withMolde has expired
Manager Maurizio Sarri says Chelsea's slow starts to the second half are becoming a "big problem", after they beat Slavia Prague to reach the Europa League semi-finals.
Chelsea beat Slavia Prague to reach Europa League semi-finals
0 comments:
Post a Comment