December 18, (THEWILL) – The draw for the 2023/2024 UEFA Europa League knockout round play-offs has thrown up some intriguing clashes as teams look to progress to the last 16 of the competition.
A number of sides have dropped down from the UEFA Champions League group stage and will now switch focus to securing European glory through the Europa League instead. This includes Italian giants, AC Milan, who finished third in their group behind Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain.
One of the standout ties sees Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma drawn against Dutch outfit Feyenoord. It will be the third consecutive season these two have faced off in Europe. Mourinho has pedigree in this competition, having led Manchester United to the title in 2016/2017.
The first legs will take place on February 15 next year, with the returns seven days later on February 22. The winners will go into the last 16 draw on 23 February alongside the eight Europa League group winners.
This includes English Premier League trio West Ham, Brighton and Liverpool as well as current Bundesliga pacesetters Bayer Leverkusen, who are among the favourites after their electric start to the second-tier European competition this season.
With some elite teams dropping down from the UCL and consistent performers in the Europa League itself, the knockout stages promise plenty of high-stakes drama.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
