By FRANCO PANIZO
Before the weekend action arrives, the UEFA Europa League returns to the spotlight with the first legs of it Round of 16.
Thirty-two teams enter the second round of the knockout phase of the competition on Thursday, and there are several mouthwatering match-ups that will be worth watching. That includes FC Porto’s clash with Napoli, Juventus’ battle with fellow Serie A club Fiorentina, and Tottenham’s home game vs. Portuguese powerhouse Benfica.
From an Americans Abroad perspective, Aron Johannsson will try and add to his dream season when AZ Alkmaar host Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala. Johannsson scored twice over the weekend, so the U.S. Men’s National Team forward should be full of confidence in the opening leg.
If you will be watching any of today’s games, please feel free to leave your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play and analysis in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (full schedule after the jump).
1:55pm – FC Basel vs. SV Salzburg – Fox Sports Net/ESPN3/Fox Soccer 2Go
2pm – FC Porto vs. Napoli – ESPN Deportes/Fox Soccer 2Go
2pm – Ludogorets vs. Valencia – Fox Soccer Plus/Fox Soccer 2Go
4pm – Tottenham vs. Benfica – ESPN3/Fox Soccer 2Go
4pm – Lyon vs. Viktoria Pizen – ESPN3/Fox Soccer 2Go
4:05pm – Juventus vs. Fiorentina – Fox Soccer Plus/ESPN3/Fox Soccer 2Go
4:05pm – AZ Alkmaar vs. Anzhi Makhachkala – Fox Soccer 2Go
4:05pm – Sevilla vs. Real Betis – ESPN Deportes/Fox Soccer 2Go
I’m so confused. Sevilla just scored for Betis.
I thought they kinda like hated eachother.
Loris thinks he is Manuel Neuer but he really doing his best Joe Hart impression today.
do any big clubs take the Europa League seriously?
all the English clubs in it seem to only take it serious when they have no other options like the FA Cup or Premier League?
just seems like a waste of time for them
The line up looks serious but the players just… don’t look like they try. Also they look completely outclassed half the time.
Maybe the really big clubs don’t, but most of the rest certainly do, and so do their fans. In the last 2 years all teams were salivating at the chance to Put Man City out.
Sorry, the 2 years before last year. Last year City finished last in group. Ajax went to the Europa
The Spurs finally score one at home against Benfica now behind 1:2 at 65 minutes.
Home game too.
Lose 1:3. What is it about these preemie sides going down 0:2 at home in the first leg?
aron continues to score goals and score goals and score goals.
Johannsson with a somewhat fortuitous PK goal. Keeper guessed right, but spun out from under him.
Aron tried to miss a pen, but hey it went in.
Wait, there’s no way that is true… he’s saved 15 of 33 penalties since he started at Valencia? o.O
i wish DEMPSEY or Jozy played at Valencia or LAZIO or Marseille
Valencia has apparently gotten a red card in the 25th. Then scored two more Goals. That’s shocking… This team beat Lazio like 2 weeks ago.