Europa League last-16 Draw

[Insidious]

Well, here we are.

Views will differ as to whether this is a distraction to the League challenge, a key component to an unprecedented Quad attempt, an increased chance of injured players or a perfect opportunity to give fringe/youth a chance so they can contribute to our injury-hit squad.

Main thing to note is that we cannot be drawn against another English side - though we could be drawn against Rangers.

I'll group the teams according to country so a cursory glance can show who is competing from appropriate Leagues.

West Ham United (ENG)
Brighton & Hove Albion (ENG)
Liverpool (ENG)
Bayer Leverkusen (GER)
SC Freiburg (GER)
Atalanta (ITA)
Roma (ITA)
AC Milan (ITA)
Sporting CP (POR)
Benfica (POR)
Sparta Prague (CZE)
Slavia Prague (CZE)
Villarreal (ESP)
Marseille (FRA)
Rangers (SCO)
Qarabag (AZE)

3 English sides.
2 German sides.
3 Italian sides.
2 Portuguese sides.
2 Czech sides.
1 Spanish side (and it isn't bloody Sevilla!)
1 French side.
1 Scottish side.
1 Azerbaijani side.

I'd probably like to avoid Roma due to Mourinho, style of play, intensity etc despite the fact they aren't brilliant right now. I'd also been keen to avoid Bayer Leverkusen, largely because I quite like the idea of that as a semi-final or the Final.

Definitely a winnable Tournament so I hope we can grab the one comp that Jürgen hasn't won with us. That loss to Sevilla and the strength garnered from defeat was a galvanising tool in our early journey with Klopp and it would be nice if victory could be a part of the last chapter of his tenure - though naturally the League is the bigger priority.

Draw is at 11am.

[teesred]

Still some very capable sides left in. We'll do very well to win the whole thing with competing in the Prem as well. Saying that though momentum is often the best way in these situations. I'd back us to beat anyone on our day but it would be concerning if for instance we were a goal or two down going into a second leg against a good side.

Confident though and I've thought from the off that we will take this comp and I'd be thrilled if we did, not only for another European trophy but for Klopp to add that to his roll of honour.
The UEFA cup deserves much more gravitas than it currently has. It's a fantastic cup.

[justme]

draw at 11?? so we'll hear about mid afternoon on the 29th

[Insidious]

Quick reminder that the first legs will take place on Thursday March 7th, with the return legs a week later on March 14th - they will be the "bread" to the "sandwich" of the Man City clash - so minimal travel would be welcome.

[Steveo]

That’s us off to Baku then. 😜

[Daffydd]

This is Sparta!

[justme]

Sparta Prague

[Steveo]

Wenceslas Square - Charles Bridge… Here we come baby.

[reddownunder]

Quite a nice draw

[Insidious]

The draw in full -

Sparta Prague v Liverpool
Marseille v Villarreal
Roma v Brighton
Benfica v Rangers
Freiburg v West Ham
Sporting Lisbon v Atalanta
AC Milan v Slavia Prague
Qarabag v Bayer Leverkusen

The Roma v Brighton and Freiburg v West Ham ties will take out 2 of the better sides in the Tournament, so if we can manage to advance things are looking quietly promising.

Second leg at Anfield. The first leg is before the Man City game and there's no way we can jeopardise the Man City match, so a team of fringe/youth and a few seniors will probably be tasked with a difficult away job, attempting to keep us in the tie for the second leg. Thankfully we have a lot of talent so we can hopefully navigate that first fixture, which will undeniably be huge for Sparta.