UEFA Europa League Quarter Final Draw

  

The quarter final draw for the Europa League was out yesterday. Evenly contested fixtures. All the teams that progressed through the quarter finals faired well in their round of sixteen games some just destroying their opponents towards their way of progression. Even though these matches on paper look even contested you never know the team you were expecting to progress may just get eliminated. Let's take a look at the quarter finals fixtures.

Sevilla FC and Zenit St.Petersburg the defending champions take on the Russian giants. Sevilla FC are the third side to progress to quarter finals three years consecutively other two being Benifica and Basel. Sevilla dismantling their Spanish counterparts Villareal and progressing through the quarters. And the Spanish side has an edge over the Russian side as they have beaten them twice over the three times they have played with the Russian side beating them once. They sit pretty in fifth in the Spanish league and they are always favourites in this competition cause of their performances over the past few years. Zenit initially finished third in the champions league and cause of that they came into the Europa league. Zenit faced off with the Italian side Torino it was an evenly contested with Zenit just edging out the victory. To me Zenit with the squad they possess and coach they have it's been a shame that they do not do well in Europe. That's why many football fans don't see them as serious contenders. So this league could increase their reputation for people to take them seriously.  Where as for Sevilla they seem to like this league as they well in it, so this game can be a cracker and we could see some flying tackles and sublime finishes with they players these teams possess.

The other fixture between Dnipro and Club Brugge both on paper look to be an even contested match the team from Belgium and Ukraine had great victories in their round of 16. These sides have met once before back in 2004 with Dnipro edging out Brugge. And i think both teams would have been happy to have drawn each other. Brugge forward Lior Refaelov seems to be in good touch with six goals in the competition, so he's someone we should watch out for. were as for Dnipro they are strong at home fantastic win against one of the formidable teams in Europe which is the Dutch side Ajax edging a victory on the away goal rule. So as far as i am concerned this is one game which i find hard to predict.

The other Fixture is between Dynamo Kyiv and Fioretina on paper seems to be pretty one sided looking like it would be a comfortable win for the Italian side but everyone loves a good underdog story the other Ukrainian team can pull an upset over them. Dynamo Kyiv Destroyed Everton FC to progress even though they lost the first leg away they turned it around at the second leg with an inspiring victory so they are a force to be reckoned with no to be taken lightly. Dynamo Kyiv are the only ream in this league unbeaten at home and Fioretina have an unbeaten nine game winning streak. And just like Dynamo Kyiv they completely demolished their Italian counterparts Roma  to progress as fr as i am concerned these two teams love to score goals judging by their previous results so this fixture could be a goal feast as both these sides attacking looks formidable. These sides till date haven't faced each other so it could be interesting.


The last fixture well let me say this is the fixture that caught my attention, I honestly the potential champion for this year's league could be either one of this team a mouth watering fixture.Both teams are strong . If you are wondering which two teams i am talking it is the Wolfsburg and Napoli tie. A fantastic tie both teams looking really strong it's going to be a close encounter in my opinion. Gonzalo Higuain of Napoli has scored six goals in this league and he seems to be in good nick so something Wolfsburg should wary, where as Wolfsburg have got their secret weapon who goes by the name of Kevin De Bruyne a creative midfielder who not only supplies but also scores when needed, A creative midfielder who looks like he may play for the German outfit next year with his impressive displays this season for them. Both these teams did well in their respective round of sixteen matches with Napoli seeing off Dinamo Moskva comfortably and Wolfsburg destroying Italian giants Inter Milan.  Both teams sitting nicely in their respective leagues. An interesting statistic Napoli against German opposition do not fare really well of 18 matches Napoli have won only 5 and lost 8 times and drawn 5 times. So as history suggests the momentum is with the German side to progress but anything is possible.

So, the draw is out the teams know who they are up against the fans know too, it's going to a treat for football fans i sense a few upsets going to happen. But all i know for certain is all these 8 teams are not going to go down easily each and every on of them is going to fight for a Semi Final berth. Who will progress? It's going to be tough to predict for me at least, but you guys and gals have a crack at it...Have your say...

Pictures Courtesy UEFA.com

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