A week after the Europa League last-32 first-leg games were played, it was all to play for in the return ties. Here are TIBS News’ winners and losers from the second legs.
WINNERS
5. Dele Alli
The Tottenham outcast is showing manager Jose Mourinho just what he is capable of with a stunning overhead kick and two assists against Wolfsberger.
On a night where Tottenham were basically already through, Alli put in a man of the match performance. Will be finally be able to force his way into Mourinho’s first-team plans?
4. Slavia Prague
Arguably the biggest shock of the last 32 as Slavia Prague scored two away goals to dump Leicester City, courtesy of goals from Lukas Provod and Abdallah Sima.
The win was only Slavia Prague’s second-ever over an English side – with the first against Leeds United in 2000. Thursday’s victory was also their first-ever win on English soil on their sixth visit
3. Granada
Rivalling Slavia Prague for the biggest shock of the round as the Spanish side made history by beating Italian giants Napoli. This season is the first campaign that Granada have ever qualified for European football and their dream continues after a 3-2 aggregate win in the last 32. They lost the second leg 2-1 but Angel Montono’s vital away goal sent them through.
2. Arsenal
Two goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saved Arsenal’s season as they squeezed past Benfica. Arsenal were on the brink of an exit until Aubameyang headed the Gunners to victory in the 87th minute. Kieran Tierney’s strike sparked the come-back in the 66th minute after they fell behind 2-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate.
Winning the tournament must be high among Arsenal’s priority as they look unlikely to qualify for European football next season through via the Premier League.
1. Rangers
Rangers continued their superb season by booking a place in the Europa League last 16 after another high-scoring affair against Antwerp. After winning the first leg in Belgium 4-3, they won in Scotland 5-2 to prevail 9-5 on aggregate. Goals from Alfredo Morelos, Nathan Patterson, Ryan Kent and a penalties from Borna Barsic and Cedric Itten saw the hosts secure a comfortable victory. This game is the highest-scoring two-legged tie in the Europa League since 2007-08.
LOSERS
5. Club Brugge
For the third season in a row Brugge have dropped down from the Champions League and exited the Europa league at the round of 32. Will this cycle be broken? Defeat by Dynamo Kiev was a real chance missed to go further into the competition.
4. Benfica
Three minutes away from the last 16, at the expense of Arsenal, but they couldn’t hold on – despite scoring two away goals too on the night. Benfica are having a poor season by their standards, sitting fourth in the Primeira Liga, so a European cup run could have boosted their attempts to reach the Champions League for next season.
3. Bayer Leverkusen
Another side who could’ve done with a European run to boost their chances of reaching Champions League football for next season. Their tie against Swiss side Young Boys looked like one they should have won on paper. Despite scoring three away goals in the first leg, Bayer lost at home 2-0 to bow out 6-3 on aggregate.
2. Leicester City
Going very well in the Premier League but over two legs against Slavia nothing seemed to work for the Foxes. Leicester were without James Maddison due to injury and missed his creativity as they crashed out of the tournament. Their focus will return on securing a top-four finish and their upcoming FA Cup quarter-final tie at home to Manchester United next month.
1. Napoli
The Italian outfit crashed out of the tournament to European newcomers Granada to overturn a two-goal deficit from the first leg. Napoli started brightly when Piotr Zielinski scored after three minutes before Granada scored a vital away goal in the 25th minute.
Losing is a massive blow for Napoli with European football for next season not guaranteed due to their Serie A standing. They currently sit seventh and four points off a top-four finish in Serie A but do have a game in hand.
