.jpg)
EUROPA LEAGUE 1/8 finals draw: Barca's 'easy' task ahead, West Ham face the competition favourites
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 25.02.22. | 15:04
The French and the Portuguese meet on two fronts while Leipzig will have to think about politics as they await Spartak Moscow
Galatasaray have the least reason to be happy after the draw for the eighth-finals of the Europa League.
The Turkish giant will face Barcelona, which are not as strong as they used to be, they are not even in their natural habitat called the Champions League, but the way they eliminated Napoli away is sure to cause discomfort to the Lions from the Bosphorus.
In addition to all that, Galatasaray are going through a strange season, their Europa League group performances were convincing but in the domestic championship they play catastrophically and are close to the bottom of the table.
On paper, the most interesting pair are Porto and Lyon, which in different circumstances would be a real Champions League clash, however this time the less appreciated Europa League will be their stage.
Another Portuguese side Braga will play against another Ligue 1 team - Monaco, which completes the French-Portuguese rivalry in this phase of the competition.
The host of the final and the accustomed winner of the competition, Sevilla, will host West Ham. It is clear who is the favorite here, the Hammers will have go to Andalusia and give their all in order to continue their European journey.
The round of 16 is set ✅
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) February 25, 2022
🤔 Best-looking tie? #UELdraw | #UEL pic.twitter.com/aTxFLyNdpt
Spartak Moscow are facing the biggest issue out of all - they will not be able to meet RB Leipzig at their stadium, or even in their own country. According to the decision of UEFA, the Russian club will have to play their rematch at a neutral venue.
Eight finals matches will be played on the 10th and on the 17th of March.
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE DRAW
1/8 finals
Glasgow Rangers – Red Star Belgrade
Braga - Monaco
Porto – Lyon
Atalanta – Bayer Leverkuzen
Sevilla – West Ham
Barselona – Galatasaray
Red Bull Leipzig – Spartak Moscow
Betis - Eintracht Frankfurt
