Sporting Lisbon has the best prospects of reaching the round of 16 in the Europa League. Things are also looking good for AC Milan, AS Roma and Olympique Marseille after the first legs of the playoffs on Thursday (February 15, 2024).
Sporting won the away game at Young Boys Bern 3-1 (2-1). The Swiss central defender Aurèle Amenda scored an own goal after half an hour to give the visitors the lead, which Viktor Gyokerers extended to 2-0 in the 41st minute. Filip Ugrinic reduced the deficit on the direct counterattack, but three minutes after the break Goncalo Inacio made the final score. Additional handicap for the Xoung Boys: Mohamed Camara saw yellow-red shortly before the final whistle and will miss the second leg.
Rome and Marseille draw away
AS Roma and Olympique Marseille also have good prospects for the knockout round. The Romans defied Feyenoord Rotterdam to draw 1-1 (0-1) away. The guests had the better chances in the first half, but the Dutch scored the goal through Igor Paixão (45th + 1). After the break, Rome equalized with Romelu Lukaku (67th) by copying the goal, but then settled for a 1-1 score.
In the final phase, Arne Slot’s team had a lot of possession and kept running, but Roma keeper Mile Svilar, the outside post and Roma’s defensive block had something against it. The decision will be made in the Italian capital in just one week.
Aubameyang scores for Marseille
At the same time, Marseille drew 2-2 (0-0) in Hamburg against Shakhtar Donetsk. Because of the Russian war of aggression in their homeland, the Ukrainians are playing their international home games in Hamburg this season. Marseille only conceded the equalizer to the final score in the 93rd minute through Eguinaldo.
Former BVB star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had given Olympique the lead (64th), Mykola Matvienko equalized four minutes later. The late 2-1 by Iliman Ndiaye (90′) wasn’t enough to win, but the French now have the better cards for the second leg at home.
Gala wins late against Sparta
Everything is still open between Galatasaray and Sparta Prague after the Turks won 3-2 (1-0) in the first leg. Former Leverkusen player Kerem Demirbay (19th), Ladislav Krejci (60th) and Mauro Icardi (90th + 1) scored the goals for Gala, while Angelo Preciado (47th) and Jan Kuchta (65th) equalized twice.
Roger Schmidt celebrates Dí Maria
In the evening session, German coach Roger Schmidt celebrated a last-minute win with Benfica Lisbon. Thanks to a converted penalty by world champion Angel Di Maria in the eighth minute of stoppage time, the top Portuguese club defeated FC Toulouse 2-1 (0-0) and headed for the round of 16.
Di Maria (68th) had already used a penalty kick to take the lead, then Mikkel Desler (75th) equalized. Things got hectic in the final phase: Mawissa Elebi was shown yellow-red for his foul (90+6), then the Argentinian Di Maria decided the game with strong nerves.
Milan are clearly on course
AC Milan is also on course, the top Italian club celebrated a confident 3-0 (1-0) against Stade Rennes. Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored the first two goals (32nd/47th), and Rafael Leão made the final score in the 53rd minute.