Immediately after the draw for the Champions League quarter final, we got the pairings for the last eight of the Europa League. There were no restrictions, meaning any team could’ve been paired with any other, and once again we got treated to a couple of mouthwatering ties.
After they shocked Fenerbahce in the round of 16, Braga were now paired with Shakhtar Donetsk. They met twice in the 2010/11 UEFA Champions League, with Shakhtar winning both games. Braga went on to reach the UEFA Europa League final that season.
Athletic Bilbao are set to be involved in ye another all-Spanish affair when they take on Sevilla. Sevilla are slight favorites in this tie due to their history in the competition, but with two teams so well familiar with each other it could go either way. This is the first time they meet in Europe.
Sparta Prague pulled one of the biggest upsets when they beat Lazio 3-0 away at Stadio Olimpico and are now faced with yet another tough challenge when they take on Villareal. Neither team has reached the final of of a Continental competition before and whoever goes through will be just a step away from it.
Dortmund versus Liverpool. That is the last pairing and one that brings tears of joy to every football fans’ eyes. It will be an emotional roller coaster for Jurgen Klopp who takes on his former troops who are pitted with another English club after knocking out Tottenham with impressive 5-1 aggregate scoreline. The first leg will be played at Dortmund with a football spectacle ensured form Borussia faithful who will definitively give a warm welcome to their former idol.
The road to Basel continues in April with the first quarter-final legs being played on seventh, while the return legs are scheduled for 14th of April.
From : SS.com
