The UEFA Europa League knockout play-off round its reaching its dramatic conclusion on Thursday as the second legs promise a feast of football drama. With spots in the round of 16 hanging by a thread, the stakes could not be higher for Europe’s hopefuls.
From heavyweights looking to overturn deficits to underdogs aiming to cement and defend their leads, there is space for plenty of drama in these second leg match-ups. This stage of the competition has already delivered thrilling games, tactical masterclasses and unexpected twists, setting the stage for another unmissable round of European football.
Here, we look at the main talking points ahead of the second-leg clashes:
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Roma and Porto go again
Roma and Porto battled to a tight 1-1 draw in the first leg, with neither able to take the advantage heading into the second leg in Italy.
Both sides are having difficult campaigns, with Roma sitting ninth in the Serie A table and Porto winning only two of their 10 matches since the turn of the year, leaving both in desperate need of European success to boost their seasons.
Roma will hold the home advantage, but Porto have been historically superior in this fixture – losing only one in seven meetings – leaving everything to play for on Thursday in Rome.
Galatasaray have a mountain to climb
Galatasaray came into their fixture against AZ Alkmaar as the favourites to secure progression to the round of 16, but AZ put a spanner in the works with a dominant display and 4-1 victory in the first leg.
Gala did play without top scorer Victor Osimhen due to suspension, while they were reduced to 10-men just after half-time due to Kaan Ayhan’s second yellow card offence, but they will be strengthened with the return of the Nigerian superstar and a full complement of 11 players in the second leg.
The Turkish giants are also the top scorers in the Europa League, with 20 goals, and they will be looking for their firepower to help them climb a mountain to defeat AZ Alkmaar and progress to the last 16.
However, the Dutch side can take comfort in their record in Turkey, with one win and two draws, while Galatasaray have conceded at least one goal in all of their last 21 European matches.
Bodo/Glimt rely on home advantage
Bodo/Glimt were outplayed in the first leg against Twente, conceding 1.65xG while creating just 0.45xG of their own, but it took until the 95th minute for the Dutch side to capitalise on their dominance as Ricky van Wolfswinkel scored a penalty to secure a 2-1 victory for Twente.
The performance from the Norwegian champions shows their resilience, and a return to their home ground will boost them as they aim to continue their European story.
Weather conditions inside the Arctic Circle can make for a challenging test for visiting teams, a factor that Bodo/Glimt will be hoping affects Twente’s performance, and they are strong when playing at home – losing only one of their last seven European home matches this term.
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Elsewhere in Europe
Across the remaining five second-leg fixtures in the Europa League, Fenerbahce will look to avoid a collapse as they take a 3-0 lead to Anderlecht, while Ajax are similarly aiming to avoid disaster as they boast a 2-0 lead against Union SG.
Viktoria Plzen will have to score for the first time in their last six knockout phase matches, with the Czech side trailing Ferencvaros by 1-0 after the first leg.
FCSB and Real Sociedad both boast narrow leads as they head into their home fixtures after 2-1 victories in the first legs, leaving both looking to defend their advantage as they host PAOK and Midtjylland respectively.
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