Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have learned their opponents for the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League after the draw was made on Friday. Manchester United will face Real Sociedad, and Tottenham is set to compete against AZ Alkmaar. These matchups set the stage for thrilling encounters as the teams aim for European glory.
Manchester United finds itself paired with old rivals Real Sociedad, marking their third competition meeting within the last five seasons. The first leg will take place on March 6, 2024, at the Reale Arena, where memories from the past linger. Just four years ago, United captain Bruno Fernandes scored twice, leading his team to a resounding 4-0 victory during their previous meeting on their way to the final. The return fixture will be held at Old Trafford on March 13, 2024, giving Manchester United the chance to capitalize on their home advantage.
Tottenham, meanwhile, will also be eyeing glory as they face AZ Alkmaar. Their meeting earlier this season saw Tottenham clinch victory by a narrow 1-0 margin at home, adding extra significance to this upcoming two-legged tie. The first leg will showcase Tottenham's determination as they look to replicate their success against the Dutch club.
The Europa League draw also features other exciting matchups, such as Athletic Bilbao facing Roma. The final of this year's competition will be held on May 21, 2024, at Athletic Club's stadium, heightening the stakes for the Spanish side as they utilize their home ground advantage.
Lazio, another Italian representative, will encounter Viktoria Plzen. This matchup could deliver intense competition, with Lazio viewed as one of the favorites to progress deep within the tournament, having finished first during the new 36-team standings format.
Rangers, the Scottish giants, are set for a challenging encounter against Fenerbahce, managed by the renowned Jose Mourinho. Their first leg will take place at Istanbul's Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, with the second leg shifting back to Ibrox, allowing Rangers to potentially push for advancement on home soil.
The full list of matchups for the Europa League last 16 looks as follows:
- Bodo/Glimt vs Olympiakos
- Rangers vs Fenerbahce
- Ajax vs Eintracht Frankfurt
- FCSB vs Lyon
- AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham
- Real Sociedad vs Manchester United
- Viktoria Plzen vs Lazio
- Roma vs Athletic Bilbao
Teams from various nations are set to bring their distinct styles and strategies to this knockout phase, with the potential for thrilling matchups. The excitement surrounding these fixtures is palpable as fans mark their calendars for March, eager to support their clubs on the road to European success.
With all three British teams—Manchester United, Tottenham, and Rangers—playing their second legs at home, there's hope for added momentum cultivated by the home crowd's passion. The higher stakes of this elimination format promise intense football action as clubs push to secure their positions for the quarter-finals.
Each matchup presents its own narrative, adding to the drama of the Europa League. Anticipation surrounds fixtures like the potential clash between Tottenham and Ajax, harkening back to their memorable Champions League semi-final details from 2019.
All of this leads to heightened excitement as the second stage of the tournament looms. Teams are preparing to battle for their place on the grand stage, with Europe's prestigious trophy at stake. The fight for European triumph begins now, and it promises to be competitive.