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    European Super League set to be killed off for new radical Champions League format from 2024 including 36-team table

    UEFA and Europe’s biggest clubs are set to kill off the proposed Super League – and adopt the planned revamp of the Champions League.
    In the clearest sign of the new mood in European football, Uefa General Secretary Giorgio Marchetti opened the general assembly of the European Club Association with a withering blast at the Super League plans pushed by Real Madrid and backed by Manchester United and Liverpool.

    A new Champions League format is being proposed to see off the threat of a Super LeagueCredit: Reuters

    And that was followed up as ECA head and Juventus president Andrea Agnelli urged the clubs to commit to the Uefa-led proposal for a 36-team elite competition from 2024.
    In what was a blatant attack on the Super League plotters, Marchetti said: “We realise that unity can easily be dissolved when insidious ideas are pursued under the pretense of survival, growth or business needs.
    “Unfortunately, the rest of football, about 99 per cent of it, would not be invited to enjoy this new super union. 
    “Surviving this affliction is not just about quick fixes or effective remedies that fit the wealthiest and the privileged few but taking care of everybody, the whole of football, the big and the small, the weak and the strong.”

    He added: “Our combined ideas and efforts have produced the greatest revamp in club competition formats in decades. 
    “The reforms will provide renewed strength and unprecedented excitement going forward.
    “With the project we have in mind, Europe’s premier club competition post 2024 will be even more compelling and ready to face a new landscape of fans and viewers.”
    Uefa’s plan will see the 36 teams in one league but playing ten matches in the opening phase.

    The teams from Europe’s ‘Big Five’ leagues who could form a Super League

    Uefa General Secretary Giorgio Marchetti has attacked plans for a breakaway Super LeagueCredit: Getty – Contributor

    The so-called “Swiss system” will mean teams play seeded opponents to ensure a fair calculator.
    The top eight sides after ten matches will automatically reach the last 16, with the final eight places decide by home and away play-off games involving the sides finishing ninth to 24th.
    And Agnelli made clear he wants the clubs to come out and back the Uefa model.
    He said: “The Super League idea is now common knowledge.
    “Organisations like JP Morgan, who backed it, see returns on their investments, but not solidarity.
    “But if we change ourselves, we can look forward to those returns in investment ourselves. We have to intercept and act, or risk implosion.”

    Agnelli suggested that a series of ‘arguments, almost fights’ with Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin had helped bring Uefa and the ECA together.
    He added: “As Giorgio pointed out, we will have a presentation about the revised formats from 2024 onwards. 
    “We have had lots of media speculation. That is the famous Swiss system.
    “The very first impression of what is now a breakthrough system was very sceptical but I think the beauty of the system has now been recognised by all.
    “Now I truly hope and ask we endorse this system going forward and mandate the board to execute the last details, the access system that has still to be finalised, in the next couple of weeks.
    “There are too many games that are uncompetitive, at both domestic and international level. Fans cannot be taken for granted and we have to deliver the best possible competition or risk losing them.”

    How fake footballer Gregoire Akcelrod conned Champions League side CSKA Sofia into offering him £15k-a-month deal More

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    Watch as Arsenal’s Europa League opponents Olympiacos win Greek Cup clash thanks to cheeky goal from Bouchalakis

    ARSENAL’S Europa League opponents Olympiacos qualified for the Greek Cup semi-finals thanks to a hilarious late goal.
    And the Gunners might want to have a look as it show they will have to be constantly focused when they clash with the same team that threw them out of Europe last year.

    Olympiacos ace Andreas Bouchalakis outsmarted Aris goalkeeper Julian Cuesta

    Bouchalakis ssnuck up behind the goalkeeper in the Greek Cup

    The reigning Greek champions faced Aris in the quarter-finals’ return fixture away on Thursday and were trailing 1-0 following Bruno Gama’s opener that made it 2-2 on aggregate in the hosts’ favour due to the away goals rules.
    Time was running out and the Salonika outfit were getting close to a famous victory that would see the Greek giants eliminated from the competition.
    But Andreas Bouchalakis saw an opening in the 87th minute.
    With Bouchalakis loitering by Aris’ goal, keeper Julian Cuesta failed to check behind him and LITERALLY dropped the ball.

    That was when ex-Nottingham Forest ace Bouchalakis seized his opportunity as he sprinted towards the ball to pick it up from an utterly shocked Cuesta and score the goal that took Pedro Martins’ men through to the semi-finals.
    The cheeky strike sparked wild celebrations from the Olympiacos players and their staff.
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    Arsenal are drawn with Olympiacos in the Last 16 of the Europa League and are determined to avoid the same miserable fate they suffered last year.

    The Greek giants eliminated Mikel Arteta’s men in the round of 32 thanks to Youssef El Arabi’s late winner in extra-time at the Emirates.
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a sitter that would have got Arsenal through in the very last second of stoppage time.

    Olympiacos ace Andreas Bouchalakis’ cheeky goal got his team through to the semi-finals
    Olympiacos won 2-1 that night and went through thanks to away-goals rules with an aggregate of 2-2.
    The defending Greek champions have proven to have a flare for the dramatic in recent weeks as they made it through to the Last 16 of the Europa League thanks to a late goal by Ahmed Hassan against PSV Eindhoven last month.
    The Piraeus outfit also picked up a last-gasp victory over Volos on Monday thanks to ex-Sunderland star Yann M’Vila’s winner.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds More

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    Arsenal fans fume as Tottenham dodge gruelling Croatia trip before derby with Europa Leave clash vs Dinamo Zagreb moved

    UEFA have confirmed that Spurs’ Europa League tie with Dinamo Zagreb has been switched, with the North Londoners’ losing their home advantage for the second leg.
    But the change has left some Arsenal fans raging, after it handed Tottenham an edge going into the North London derby.

    Spurs celebrate an advantage going into the North London derbyCredit: Rex Features

    Arsenal will travel to Greece again after beating Benfica there last monthCredit: AP:Associated Press

    Both North London sides were set to have their round of 16 away legs up first, before hosting Dinamo and Olympiacos respectively a week later.
    But with Uefa rules dictating that two teams can’t play in the same city on the same night, one fixture had to change.
    With Arsenal taking priority over Spurs by virtue of having qualified through winning last season’s FA Cup, their tie was kept as it is.
    Tottenham, meanwhile, will now host Dinamo first… avoiding a 2,000 mile round-trip just three days before their Premier League clash with Arsenal.

    Mikel Arteta’s side, on the other hand, will have to travel nearly 4,000 miles as they head to Athens and back to face Olympiacos in their round of 16 first leg.
    While this is thought to favour Arsenal in terms of Europa League progression, some fans were left fuming on social media.
    One wrote: “spurs getting the bubble wrap treatment once again”.
    While another questioned: “Why can’t they play at home on the same day, policing and travelling issues are non existent when the games are behind closed doors!!!”

    Arsenal and Spurs are separated by just two points in the tableCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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    A third moaned: “How is this fair? What a joke.”
    And a fourth felt that Spurs were also getting handed an advantage in Europe, as well as domestically – pointing to the away goals rule.
    He added: “Why do they get the advantage of an away second leg? Extra 30 mins of away goals and knowing exactly what you need. Joke.”
    The two clubs both currently sit in mid-table, with just two points separating them as the season begins to enter it’s final sprint.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

    Leicester City v Arsenal as it happened More

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    Zlatan Ibrahimovic set to miss BOTH of AC Milan’s clashes against Man Utd in Europa League due to injury

    ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC will miss BOTH of AC Milan’s Europa League games against Manchester United with a groin injury.
    The former Red Devil was hoping to play against his old side but will not be available for either leg of the last-16 tie.

    Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss AC Milan’s Europa League games against Man UtdCredit: Reuters

    The former Red Devil will be out for three weeks with a groin injuryCredit: PA:Press Association

    The teams meet first at Old Trafford on March 11.
    And the second-leg is one week later at the San Siro on March 18.
    But Milan boss Stefano Pioli will have to do without his star man for the next three weeks, according to EuroSport.
    The Swede, 39, is in blistering form this season with 14 goals in 14 Serie A games.

    His side are second in the league – just four points behind bitter rivals Inter who are top.
    Ibrahimovic scored 29 goals and provided 10 assists in 53 games for United between 2016 and 2018.
    Milan knocked Red Star Belgrade out on away goals in the last-32 after a 3-3 aggregate draw to set up the mouthwatering tie with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
    United beat Real Sociedad 4-0 on aggregate to proceed after thrashing the Spaniards by that scoreline in the first-leg.

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    Ibrahimovic hit headlines last week after criticising basketball superstar LeBron James for getting involved in politics.
    The LA Lakers icon, 36, has been a leading voice against police brutality and racism over recent years.
    However, Ibrahimovic did not seem impressed as he told the American to ‘do what he’s good at’ instead.
    Zlatan’s comments received widespread backlash including from James himself who hit back telling the former Barcelona and LA Galaxy star ‘I will never shut up’.
    Former NBA player Baron Davis also called him ‘dumb as hell’ and compare him to Adam Sandler’s character Zohan.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

    Solskjaer says Man Utd are not scoring enough after disappointing goalless draw with Chelsea More

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    Europa League last 16 draw LIVE: Man Utd host AC Milan, Arsenal face Olympiacos AGAIN, Tottenham take on Dinamo Zagreb

    ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC will be returning to Old Trafford as Manchester United take on AC Milan in the Europa League last 16.
    And it will be a second trip to Olympiacos in the space of a fortnight for Arsenal as they take on the Greek side whose stadium they used in yesterday’s win over Benfica.
    Ajax vs Young Boys
    Dynamo Kiev vs Villarreal
    Roma vs Shakhtar Donetsk
    Olympiacos vs Arsenal
    Dinamo Zagreb vs Tottenham
    Man Utd vs AC Milan
    Slavia Prague vs Rangers
    Granada vs Molde
    Matches will take place on Thursday, March 11 and Thursday, March 18.

    If you click on a link in this story we will earn affiliate revenue.

    NO CHOICE BUT TO MAN UP!
    Manchester United’s tough fortunes in draws this season has provoked mock and awe on social media…

    ZLAT’S CRAZY
    Zlatan Ibrahimovic is on course to return to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the Europa League.
    The Red Devils host his AC Milan side on March 11 before the return leg at the San Siro seven days later.
    It will be just the third time he has gone up against the English giants and the first since he left the club in March 2018 for a spell at LA Galaxy before rejoining the Rossoneri.
    In those previous two matches, in the Champions League last 16 with Inter in 2009, he failed to score as the two legs ended 0-0 and 2-0 to United.
    Ibrahimovic made 53 appearances for the Red Devils between 2016 and 2018, scoring 29 goals – although the vast majority came in his first season before his knee injury in April 2017.
    He only featured seven times in 2017-18, with his final game coming on Boxing Day with a 2-2 draw at home to Burnley.
    Here’s how United looked that match.

    WORK OF ART
    Mikel Arteta is hoping Arsenal’s win against Benfica in the Europa League will help bring the belief back to his squad.
    He said: “Hopefully for us and the players it will generate belief.
    “We know that in this competition we’re going to go through difficult patches, be it a moment in a game, a whole game or something unpredictable that happens.
    “You have to be able to react to it. All the winners in European competition have to have a magic moment, a moment of luck, have to be able to overcome difficult situations.
    “We did it last night and in a convincing way as well because I could see the players were ready to fight and they never looked disappointed, even after the way we conceded the second goal.
    “That gives me hope. It’s a good experience to have together. Hopefully we can use it for the future in the next games.”

    ZLAT’S TOUGH
    Man Utd have been handed a tough Europa League round of 16 assignment in the shape of AC Milan.
    While Spurs take on Dinamo Zagreb and Arsenal face Olympiacos, the Red Devils will go head to head with the seven-time champions of Europe.
    While Milan may not be quite as good as the vintages of the likes of Arrigo Sacchi, Fabio Capello or Carlo Ancelotti, they still represent a dangerous opponent for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men.
    Currently second in Serie A, Stefano Pioli’s side possess a number of excellent players capable of hurting their Premier League counterparts.
    SunSport takes a look at five in particular that fans will have to keep their eyes peeled for.
    Click HERE for the full story.

    NO WAY, JOSE
    Jose Mourinho insists Tottenham are not frightened of facing rivals Arsenal or Man Utd after drawing Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League.
    Asked if was pleased to have avoided their two fellow Premier League rivals, Mourinho said: “When you are in this competition and you get to this stage you don’t get easy clubs.
    “If you want to win it, sooner or later you have to play against the best clubs or the ones who go through the different stages.
    “So the objective now is to win against Dinamo and then if later Arsenal and Manchester United are in the competition we have always to face them.
    “I think, yeah it happened in the Champions League final, two English clubs, happened in the Europa League with Arsenal and Chelsea too.
    “It’s something that can happen and if it does, wonderful for us if we are one of the two teams and wonderful for English football to have two teams in the final.
    “But in this moment 16 teams, everybody wants the same so it’s very premature to think about it.”

    EURO GLORY
    Manchester United are the 7/2 favourites for the Europa League despite drawing AC Milan in the round of 16.
    United overcame Real Sociedad in the round of 32 and have been paired with European giants Milan in a mouth-watering tie for the next round.
    Tottenham and Arsenal are second and third favourites at 9/2 and 6/1, while Steven Gerrard’s Rangers are 19/1.
    Europa League winner odds – Betfair
    Manchester United 7/2
    Tottenham 9/2
    Arsenal 6/1
    Ajax 9/1
    Villarreal 10/1
    Roma 13/1
    AC Milan 14/1
    Rangers 19/1
    Shakhtar Donetsk 22/1
    Granada 28/1
    Dynamo Kiev 35/1
    Olympiacos 41/1
    Slavia Prague 43/1
    Dinamo Zagreb 60/1
    Young Boys 60/1
    Molde 130/1

    JOSE’S THOUGHTS
    Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho gave his thoughts on today’s Europa League draw which confirmed that Dinamo Zagreb will be their opponents in the Round of 16.

    MOLDE MARCHING ON
    Erling Haaland congratulated Molde on their impressive win against German outfit Hoffenheim!
    Haaland played for Molde between 2017-19, before moving to Austria to play for RB Salzburg.
    Molde will face Granada in the Europa League Round of 16.

    SUPER SOUCEK
    West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek joined in on Slavia Prague’s celebrations on FaceTime last night!
    Will it be a repeat of the same when Slavia take on Rangers?

    Tomáš Souček could genuinely be the most popular man in football 😂His former Slavia Prague teammates dropped him a call after shocking Leicester and advancing in the Europa League! #UEL pic.twitter.com/nJntdNMlSF
    — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 25, 2021

    CAPTAIN AUBA
    Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had this to say after netting a last gasp winner to send Arsenal through to the Europa League Round of 16.

    LATE STAGES
    Slavia Prague will have to beat Rangers to reach the Quarter-Finals of the Europa League!

    GREEK MYTH
    Arsenal fans took to Twitter to complain about the Europa League tie which will see them face former defender Sokratis.
    One wrote: “F*** OFF MAN OLYMPIACOS, NOT THESE LOT AGAIN……”
    Another said: “Olympiacos. Again. Don’t you dare, @Arsenal.”
    A third user added: “Arsenal draw Olympiacos as is customary in every competition.”
    Others, though, see it as the perfect chance for Aubameyang and Co to get revenge for a year ago.
    Read More

    DRAW REMINDER
    If you’re just joining us now, here’s a reminder of all the draws for the Europa League Round of 16:
    AFC AJAX VS BSC YOUNG BOYS
    DYNAMO KYIV VS VILLARREAL
    AS ROMA VS SHAKHTAR DONETSK
    OLYMPIACOS VS ARSENAL
    DINAMO ZAGREB VS TOTTENHAM
    MAN UTD VS AC MILAN
    SLAVIA PRAGUE VS RANGERS
    GRANADA VS MOLDE 

    THROWBACK
    Spurs are looking forward to facing Dinamo Zagreb, the team they bought Luka Modric from!

    GUNNING FOR GLORY
    Arsenal will face Olympiacos in the Europa League Round of 16!
    And on paper, Arsenal will be favourites heading into the game, but the record between the two sides makes it 50-50.
    The Gunners have met Olympiacos on ten previous occasions, with both sides winning five.
    Olympiacos were knocked out by Wolves in last season’s competition.

    HEROES RETURN
    Man Utd fans are looking forward to Zlatan Ibrahimovic return to Old Trafford!
    Unfortunately, fans will not be in attendance to see.

    At Man Utd in 2016-17, Zlatan Ibrahimović won the first European trophy of his career but was unable to play in the final due to his knee injury.Now it’s time for a reunion in the #UEL pic.twitter.com/eBxwAjcgkg
    — Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 26, 2021

    TIE REVERSED
    Tottenham’s Europa League tie has been reversed as they cannot play at home on the same day as Arsenal, according to Dale Johnson.

    Tottenham’s Europa League tie will be reversed, they cannot play at home on the same day as Arsenal, per UEFA rules (not day switch).The national Cup winners (Arsenal) hold the fixture rights.March 11Spurs v Dinamo ZagrebMarch 18Arsenal v Olympiakos #Arsenal #COYS
    — Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) February 26, 2021

    DREAM BECOMES REALITY
    Slavia Prague boss Trpisovsky wanted to bring Slavia back to Britain for the Europa League Round of 16, and he got his wish!
    Before the draw, he said: “I would like to take Slavia to the British Isles again. 
    “To play against Rangers would be fantastic, not only because I have never been there.”

    IT WAS MEANT TO BE
    Funnily enough, Man Utd posted a video of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s strike against Southampton in the Carabao Cup fine, declaring it goal of the day.
    And just hours later, United draw AC Milan in the Europa League!

    GIANTS COLLIDE
    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Man Utd have been drawn against European giants AC Milan in the Europa League Round of 16!
    It means that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return to Old Trafford, where he played for United between 2016-18.
    The rest of the teams will be rather happy with the draw, one of the big boys will crash out before the Quarter-Finals!

    CONFIRMED DRAW
    AFC AJAX VS BSC YOUNG BOYS
    DYNAMO KYIV VS VILLARREAL
    AS ROMA VS SHAKHTAR DONETSK
    OLYMPIACOS VS ARSENAL
    DINAMO ZAGREB VS TOTTENHAM
    MAN UTD VS AC MILAN
    SLAVIA PRAGUE VS RANGERS
    GRANADA VS MOLDE 

    GRANADA VS MOLDE
    Two newcomers face each other!

    SLAVIA PRAGUE VS RANGERS
    Interesting! Slavia draw Rangers! Looking forward to that one that’s for sure!

    MAN UTD VS AC MILAN
    WOOOOOOW! Man Utd will welcome AC Milan to Old Trafford!
    Ibrahimovic returns!

    DINAMO ZAGREB VS TOTTENHAM
    Tottenham will face Zagreb in the Round of 16!

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    How Man Utd lined up in Ibrahimovic’s final game with just six featuring this season ahead of his return with AC Milan

    ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC is on course to return to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the Europa League.
    The Red Devils host his AC Milan side on March 11 before the return leg at the San Siro seven days later.

    This was the Manchester United team for Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s last appearance for the club in December 2017

    It will be just the third time he has gone up against the English giants and the first since he left the club in March 2018 for a spell at LA Galaxy before rejoining the Rossoneri.
    In those previous two matches, in the Champions League last 16 with Inter in 2009, he failed to score as the two legs ended 0-0 and 2-0 to United.
    Ibrahimovic made 53 appearances for the Red Devils between 2016 and 2018, scoring 29 goals – although the vast majority came in his first season before his knee injury in April 2017.
    He only featured seven times in 2017-18, with his final game coming on Boxing Day with a 2-2 draw at home to Burnley.

    Ironically, Jesse Lingard – now on loan at West Ham – replaced Zlatan with United trailing 2-0 at half-time and scored twice in the second half to rescue a point.
    And out of the starting XI that day, only six have played under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season.
    David De Gea was in goal and remains the No1 despite Dean Henderson pushing to replace him amid a string of poor performances.
    Jose Mourinho’s back line against Burnley that day was made up of Ashley Young, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw.

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    Young joined Inter in January 2020 while Rojo returned to Argentina to sign for Boca Juniors earlier this month.
    Jones remains on the books at Old Trafford but his last minute of action came against Tranmere 13 months ago.
    Shaw, however, remains a crucial member of the squad looking to secure Champions League football next season.
    In front, Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic are still heavily involved – but have seen game time limited this term by injury and the form of Fred and Scott McTominay.
    Juan Mata has just eight starts and 665 minutes of action in all competitions this season and could be released when his current contract expires this summer.

    Like Ibra, Romelu Lukaku now finds San Siro his home – but with rivals Inter.
    And the former ‘team-mates’ proved there was no love lost earlier this season with a furious feud during a heated Milan derby.
    Finally, Marcus Rashford remains a key figure under Solskaer.
    He has racked up 85 goals to date – placing him level with David Beckham and above Eric Cantona – and recently became the fourth-youngest United star to tally up 250 appearances.

    Ibrahimovic in action in a Red Devils shirt for the final time before joining LA GalaxyCredit: PA:Press Association

    Jesse Lingard celebrates his injury-time equaliser with left-back Luke ShawCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

    Europa League last 16 draw sees Man Utd face AC Milan and Arsenal take on Olympiacos More

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    Five players Man Utd must watch out for vs AC Milan in Europa League including Ibrahimovic, Calhanoglu and Donnarumma

    MANCHESTER UNITED have been handed a tough Europa League round of 16 assignment in the shape of AC Milan.
    While Spurs take on Dinamo Zagreb and Arsenal face Olympiacos, the Red Devils will go head to head with the seven-time champions of Europe.

    AC Milan have a number of dangerous players for United to be wary ofCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    While Milan may not be quite as good as the vintages of the likes of Arrigo Sacchi, Fabio Capello or Carlo Ancelotti, they still represent a dangerous opponent for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men.
    Currently second in Serie A, Stefano Pioli’s side possess a number of excellent players capable of hurting their Premier League counterparts.
    SunSport takes a look at five in particular that fans will have to keep their eyes peeled for.
    ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC
    Manchester United supporters need no introduction to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

    The ‘Swedish hero’ captured the imagination of the Stretford End during his 2016-2018 stint at Old Trafford, scoring 29 goals in 53 games for the club.
    Following his stint at LA Galaxy Zlatan is back in Europe and defying his 39 years, scoring a stunning 14 goals in 13 games in Serie A this season.

    Zlatan has scored 14 goals in 13 games this seasonCredit: Rex Features

    HAKAN CALHANOGLU
    Set piece specialist Hakan Calhanoglu will make United’s stars think twice before fouling any Milan players within shooting or crossing distance.
    The Turkish international, 27, is a major creative force for Pioli’s men, notching 11 assists in addition to six goals from attacking midfield this season.

    Earlier in the competition, Calhanoglu scored against fellow Brits Celtic in a 4-2 victory at San Siro.

    Hakan Calhanoglu has posted 11 assists this seasonCredit: Reuters
    GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA
    It’s hard to believe that AC Milan and Italy No1 Gianluigi Donnarumma is still just 22-years-old.
    The giant shot-stopper made his Rossoneri debut aged just 16, and has already racked up an astonishing 234 appearances for his boyhood club – in addition to 22 international caps.
    Donnarumma will now be hoping to see off United and add to the solitary Supercoppa Italiana in his trophy cabinet.

    Gianluigi Donnarumma, 22, has already made 234 appearances for MilanCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    RAFAEL LEAO
    Previously dubbed the ‘Portuguese Kylian Mbappe’ in some quarters, Rafael Leao possesses serious speed and dribbling ability.
    In fact, the 21-year-old is so quick, that he managed to score after just six seconds against Sassuolo earlier this season.
    Deployed upfront or out wide, the talented star has six goals and five assists this term and should give the United defence something to think about.

    Rafael Leao leaps into the air after getting Milan off to a lightning quick start against SassuoloCredit: AP:Associated Press
    THEO HERNANDEZ
    Having not been given much of a chance at Real Madrid, full-back Theo Hernandez is thriving with AC Milan.
    An excellent crosser and dribbler, that is more than capable of mixing it defensively, Hernandez has elevated himself into one of Europe’s top full-backs since joining Milan 18 months ago.
    The Frenchman has scored five goals and laid on six assists this season, and could have an interesting battle with Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

    Theo Hernandez has been superb for AC Milan this seasonCredit: AP:Associated Press
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

    Europa League last 16 draw sees Man Utd face AC Milan and Arsenal take on Olympiacos More

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    Arsenal fans moan after landing ‘jinx’ side Olympiacos in Europa League knockouts with Greek’s strong record at Emirates

    ARSENAL fans moaned they landed their ‘jinx’ side Olympiacos in the Europa League last-16 draw – but insisted it is time for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s revenge.
    The Gunners will play the away leg in Greece on March 11 before the return tie a week later.

    Arsenal fans were gutted to see their team drawn against Olympiacos once again in Europe – especially after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s heartache 12 months agoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Incredibly, it is the fifth time they have been pitted against one another in European competition.
    Out of the ten individual matches, both sides have won five apiece.
    However, Arsenal supporters will be worried with the Greek giants winning on their last two visits to the Emirates.
    That includes in the round of 32 a year ago.

    Arsenal won the first leg 1-0 away but lost the second 1-0 at home, taking it into extra-time.
    Aubameyang scored on 113 minutes to put his side on the verge of going through.
    But there was plenty more drama to come as Youssef El-Arabi scored in the final minute to put Olympiacos ahead on away goals.
    Even then, there was still time for an Aubameyang sitter as the Gunners crashed out.

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    Arsenal have drawn Olympiakos five times previously in European competition. They have won five of the legs and lost five of them.The Gunners have lost their last two at home to the Greek side
    — Orbinho (@Orbinho) February 26, 2021

    Arsenal fans took to Twitter to complain about the Europa League tie which will see them face former defender Sokratis.
    One wrote: “F*** OFF MAN OLYMPIACOS, NOT THESE LOT AGAIN……”
    Another said: “Olympiacos. Again. Don’t you dare, @Arsenal.”
    A third user added: “Arsenal draw Olympiacos as is customary in every competition.”
    Others, though, see it as the perfect chance for Aubameyang and Co to get revenge for a year ago.
    One commented: “Not too annoyed with the draw against Olympiacos. A team we should beat. Got to right last season’s wrongs.
    And a final fan stated: “Olympiacos. We go again. It’s redemption season for my captain, @Aubameyang7.”
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

    Youssef El-Arabi scored a 120th-minute winner to dump Arsenal out of the Europa League last seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Europa League Round of 16 Draw

    Ajax vs Young Boys
    Dynamo Kiev vs Villarreal
    Roma vs Shakhtar Donetsk
    Olympiacos vs Arsenal
    Dinamo Zagreb vs Tottenham
    Manchester United vs AC Milan
    Slavia Prague vs Rangers
    Granada vs Molde
    First legs to be played March 11, second legs on March 18

    Europa League last 16 draw sees Man Utd face AC Milan and Arsenal take on Olympiacos More