On Thursday, eight thrilling Europa League matches will take place, with the winners gaining a crucial advantage ahead of the return legs. The first-leg results will determine which teams advance to the round of 16, while the losers will be eliminated under the new competition format.
This week's Europa League action promises to deliver some exciting and crucial encounters as teams battle for a place in the round of 16. With the new format, the pressure is on, as only the winners of the two-legged ties will continue their European journey, while the losers will face elimination.
Four matches will kick off at 18:45 CET - Ferencvarosi vs Viktoria Plzen, Midtjylland vs Real Sociedad, Union Saint-Gilloise vs Ajax, and Fenerbahce vs Anderlecht. The remaining four matches, starting at 21:00 CET, are Porto vs Roma, Alkmaar vs Galatasaray, PAOK vs FCSB, and Twente vs Bodo Glimt.
The standout tie of the night is Porto vs Roma, where two major European clubs will go head-to-head in a bid to progress further in the competition. Both sides will be eager to secure a strong result, making it one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures of the round.
Meanwhile, the other games offer intriguing matchups, with clubs from across Europe looking to make a statement in the competition.