The 2024/25 UEFA Conference League is entering its quarter-final stage, culminating from the initial lineup of 36 teams. Remarkably, eight teams have battled through the league phase, knockout play-offs, and the round of 16 to advance to this decisive moment. The quarter-final matchups are electric, featuring Real Betis taking on Jagiellonia, Celje drawing Fiorentina, Chelsea facing Legia Warszawa, and Djurgården squaring off against SK Rapid.
Each of these teams has displayed remarkable performances during the earlier stages of the tournament. Real Betis, currently ranked 21st after the league phase, qualified for the quarter-finals following their intense playoff victory against Pyunik, winning with a 4-2 aggregate. They have impressed with their tenacity, even reaching this far after finishing last season's Conference League play-offs with a disappointing exit against Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
On the flip side, Jagiellonia has dominated their league, finishing 1st and maintaining an unbeaten record of 6 wins and no losses, scoring 26 goals against just 5 conceded, showcasing their offensive and defensive prowess alike. Their route to the quarter-finals was marked by defeating Copenhagen with a 3-1 aggregate score.
Celje, who finished 5th during the league phase, has had their own ups and downs. They qualified by defeating Pafos with 3-1 aggregate and are aiming to leave their mark on this year's competition, having previously fallen short in last season's qualifiers.
Fiorentina is another strong contender, ending the league phase 3rd. Their storied history includes two recent finals appearances, and they qualified after edging out Panathinaikos with a close 5-4 aggregate. With their previous successes, fans have high hopes for their performance.
Chelsea is returning after missing out on European competition last season but has since navigated their way back with focused dedication, qualifying through the knockout stage against Club Brugge with 3-2 aggregate. Sitting 9th at the league phase's end, they aim to prove themselves as formidable competitors.
Legia Warszawa, ranking 7th at the conclusion of the league season, has battled through playoffs to secure their quarter-final slot. Their rising momentum includes overcoming Molde with 4-3 after extra time, signalling their readiness for upcoming challenges.
For Djurgården, this campaign marks another significant milestone as they reached the quarter-finals for the first time. They qualified after beating Vitória SC with relative ease, 6-2, showcasing their talent and resolve this season.
Finally, SK Rapid also enters the quarter-finals after overcoming Borac, with their aggregate win at 3-2 after extra time, adding excitement to their campaign. Having previously faced difficulties last season, they aim to rewrite their story this year.
Overall, the excitement is palpable as fans of the eight remaining clubs look forward to these quarter-final matchups. Can Real Betis continue their surprise run, or will Jagiellonia secure overall dominance? How will Chelsea fare as they make their grand return to European football? These questions fuel the passion for football, as each team rallies their supporters for what promises to be thrilling encounters.
Across town, the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League also experiences similar tension as it narrows down its quarter-finalists. From the initial pool of 36 teams, eight have reached this point, with fixtures including Bodø/Glimt facing Lazio, Tottenham facing Eintracht Frankfurt, Rangers pitted against Athletic Club, and Lyon going up against Manchester United.
Bodø/Glimt's rollercoaster season leaves them chasing glory after ending the league phase 9th. They proved resilient, overcoming Olympiacos with 4-2 aggregate to keep their European dreams alive. Meanwhile, their opponents, Lazio, placed 1st after showing remarkable form, and are intent on capitalizing on their momentum after taking down Viktoria Plzeň 3-2.
Tottenham also boasts strong credentials, finishing 4th after winning against AZ Alkmaar with 3-2. They are considered one of the favorites this season. Eintracht Frankfurt, on the other hand, remains one of the tournament's historical contenders, reaching the quarter-finals after triumphing over Ajax with 6-2 aggregate.
Athletic Club has been remarkable, not only finishing the league phase 2nd with solid stats, but also qualifying through Roma, edging them out with 4-3 aggregate. They are seeking to cement their legacy as they continue their quest for European silverware.
Manchester United performed admirably throughout the league, finishing 3rd and advancing by defeating Real Sociedad, reinforcing their competitive stature with both skill and strategy.
On the other hand, Rangers have faced significant challenges, but their resilience allowed them to squeeze past Fenerbahçe via penalties after drawing 3-3 aggregate, proving their mettle and determination.
Finally, Lyon, finishing 6th before unleashing their strength during the round of 16 against FCSB, displayed offensive dynamism winning 7-1. They intend to utilize this energetic approach as they battle for the coveted Europa League trophy.
With the excitement and anticipation growing among supporters for both competitions, fans can only speculate on the twists and turns awaiting their teams on this electrifying road to the finals.