Synopsis
As the Europa League quarterfinals unfold, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur face a critical second leg that could determine their entire season. Both teams need strong performances to advance, having struggled in the Premier League and domestic cups this year.Key Takeaways
- Manchester United's season depends on the second leg against Lyon.
- Tottenham Hotspur must overcome Frankfurt after a first-leg draw.
- Bodo/Glimt stunned Lazio with a 2-0 victory in Norway.
- Rangers still have a chance to progress despite an early red card.
- All matches will be aired on Sony Sports Network in India.
New Delhi, April 16 (NationPress) As the Europa League quarterfinals reach a critical juncture, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur find themselves in a precarious situation where their entire season depends on the outcome of the second leg.
In the first leg, Manchester United almost secured a crucial away win, but a last-minute goal from Rayan Cherki led to a 2-2 draw, making the return match at Old Trafford pivotal for the Red Devils. On the other hand, Les Gones will feel energized after their late equalizer, extending their unbeaten streak in the Europa League to eight matches (W4 D4).
Similarly, Spurs are also in a do-or-die scenario in the Europa League. They took an initial lead through a brilliant strike from Hugo Ekitike, but Frankfurt managed to hold them to a draw, which left the hosts frustrated despite their dominant performance and several missed chances.
Currently, both Manchester United and Spurs are positioned 14th and 15th in the Premier League, respectively, having exited all domestic competitions. The Europa League stands as their last opportunity to secure silverware in what has been a challenging season, as well as a potential pathway to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next year.
In another surprising development, Bodo/Glimt shocked Lazio by winning the first leg 2-0 in Norway, marking their fourth consecutive home victory against Italian teams in UEFA competitions.
Athletic Club could not capitalize on having an extra player for most of their match against Rangers, following Robin Propper's early red card. Despite this, Rangers' defense, led by goalkeeper Liam Kelly, who saved a penalty kick, kept the match level.
This sets up an exciting opportunity for Barry Ferguson's Rangers as they still have a chance to advance to the semifinals.
Europa League QF second leg schedule:
Manchester United vs Lyon (2-2)
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Tottenham Hotspur (1-1)
Lazio vs Bodo/Glimt (0-2)
Athletic Club vs Rangers (0-0)
All matches are set to kick off at 12:30 AM IST on Friday, April 18.
For viewers in India, the second leg of the Europa League QF will be broadcast on Sony Sports Network, with live streaming available via SonyLIV.
