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      Why is Benfica vs Arsenal in Rome, where is the second leg played and do away goals count at neutral venues?

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      ARSENAL face Benfica in the Europa League Last 32 this week.
      But their first leg tie will NOT be taking place in Portugal, and will instead be played in Rome.

      Rome’s Stadio Olimpico plays host for Benfica vs Arsenal
      Why is Benfica vs Arsenal being played in Rome?

      Benfica vs Arsenal has been moved to take place at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
      While the second leg on February 25 will not be at the Emirates Stadium, instead being played at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Athens, meaning the Gunners will be playing a “home” match in Greece.
      UK authorities placed Portugal on the red list due to the Brazilian coronavirus variant in January.
      This meant the home tie could not take place in Benfica’s home stadium, nor Benfica able to travel to the UK for the second leg so neutral venues have been found for both.

      Do away goals count?
      Despite ties taking place at neutral venues, UEFA have confirmed that away goals will still count as double if the tie is level.
      When is Benfica vs Arsenal?
      Benfica vs Arsenal is on Thursday, February 18.
      The match kicks off at 8pm GMT.
      What TV channel and live stream is Benfica vs Arsenal on?
      BT Sport 2 will broadcast the game in the UK.
      BT Sport 2 begin their coverage at kick off at 8pm, following Wolfsberg vs Tottenham.
      How can I watch Benfica vs Arsenal for FREE?
      EE customers can get BT Sport INCLUDED to their plan at no extra cost if they are on a plan with Smart Benefits – simply log in to EE and choose BT Sport app.
      And then get it on the big screen by texting SPORT to 150 to get a FREE three-month trial of Large Screen so you can cast all the action on your TV.
      At the end of the three months you will automatically roll onto the £5 per month BT Sport Large Screen subscription unless cancelled.

      What is the team news?
      Kieran Tierney is back in training after missing the last six games with a leg strain.

      Though Thomas Partey will play no part after sustaining a muscle injury.
      Former Premier League stars Jan Vertonghen, Nicolas Otamendi and Adel Taarabt all feature for Benfica and are in line to start against the Gunners. More

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      Champions League and Europa League venue changes: Liverpool in Budapest, Arsenal in Rome, Man Utd in Turin

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      EUROPEAN football is back with the knockout stages, but for a number of English teams it will look very different.
      Despite ties continuing to take place over the traditional two-leg format, some teams will be forced to forfeit home advantage due to Covid restrictions.

      The Stadio Olimpico in Rome will host Arsenal’s away game against BenficaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Which Champions League ties will have venue changes?

      Both Liverpool and Man City will visit the Puskas Arena in BudapestCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      RB Leipzig vs Liverpool – Puskas Arena, Budapest

      RB Leipzig are unable to host Liverpool in their home stadium as entry to Germany from the UK has been banned for all non-residents.
      Jurgen Klopp himself was unable to return to the country to attend his mother’s funeral under the entry rules.
      Borussia Monchengladbach vs Man City – Puskas Arena, Budapest
      For the same reason as RB Leipzig’s game against Liverpool, Borussia Monchengladbach vs Man City will be unable to go ahead as planned.
      Therefore Budapest has stepped in to host both matches.

      Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea – National Arena, Bucharest
      Entry to Spain from the UK has been banned for all non-residents.
      Therefore this match has been moved to Bucharest.
      Atletico Madrid will have fond memories of the National Stadium as Diego Simeone won his first trophy – the 2012 Europa League – there.
      Which Europa League ties will have venue changes?

      The Juventus Stadium will host Real Sociedad vs Man UtdCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Benfica vs Arsenal – Stadio Olimpico, Rome
      The UK bans all non-residents from entering the country from Portugal.

      Were Arsenal to play Benfica in Lisbon, the entire squad would be forced to undergo a ten-day hotel quarantine on return.
      Therefore, the match has been moved to Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
      Real Sociedad vs Man Utd – Juventus Stadium, Turin
      Due to the Spanish government’s travel restrictions, Real Sociedad will host Man Utd at Juventus’ stadium in Turin.

      Wolfsberg vs Tottenham – Puskas Arena, Budapest
      Like Liverpool and Man City, Tottenham will also play the away leg of their European tie at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.
      This is because all non-EU/EEA citizens except residents are banned from travelling to Austria from the UK.
      Molde vs Hoffenheim – Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal
      Despite stadiums in Spain not being allowed to host British clubs, Villarreal have been given permission to stage Molde vs Hoffenheim.
      The game has been moved as Norway has closed its borders to all non-resident foreign nationals.
      Arsenal vs Benfica
      The Benfica team are currently banned from travelling to the UK, along with all non-residents entering from Portugal.
      Arsenal had announced that Olympiacos’ Giorgos Karaiskakis Stadium in Athens would host the match.
      However this post was later removed from their website and social media accounts.

      What happens if a home team can’t move its tie to a neutral venue?
      Where travel restrictions are imposed by the home team’s government, the club must find a new venue or be deemed to have forfeited the match 3-0.
      Where travel restrictions are imposed by the away team’s government, that club will be asked to find a new venue or have Uefa choose one for them.
      Do away goals still count double?
      Uefa have confirmed that away goals WILL count double in all European ties this year.
      That means, for example, that the rule will apply even if Benfica host Arsenal in Italy and Arsenal host Benfica in Greece. More

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      Man Utd and Tottenham WILL have home advantage for Europa League ties as Uefa give them green light to host second-legs

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      TOTTENHAM and Manchester United have got the green light from Uefa to play next week’s Europa League last-32 second legs on home soil.
      But Tottenham’s Austrian opponent Wolfsberger will have to make an indirect flight both ways to avoid quarantining when they return home.

      Manchester United face LaLiga outfit Real Sociedad in the Europe League Round of 32Credit: AP:Associated Press

      Jose Mourinho’s men will play the first leg in Budapest on Thursday after quarantine-free travel into Austria from the UK was banned.
      Similar restrictions mean United’s first leg against Real Sociedad will be played in Turin rather than in the Basque country.
      But unlike Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side, Spurs and United will be able to host next week’s matches.
      The Gunners will play both legs against Portuguese giants Benfica on neutral soil – in Rome and then Piraeus.

      Spurs’ opponents Wolfsberger, though, will have to travel to London via Slovenia, to get round Austrian restrictions.
      And while there are quarantine rules for travel between the UK and Spain, because Sociedad will have spent less than 48 hours in Manchester, they are not bound by the requirements so can play at Old Trafford.
      It remains unclear whether Liverpool will be allowed to host their second leg against Leipzig at Anfield.
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      Tottenham will pit their wits against Wolfsberger in the Europa League knockout stagesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But at this stage it does seem likely that Jurgen Klopp’s side will have to find a venue on continental Europe as a result of local Covid restrictions in Saxony.
      They do not apply to Monchengladbach, based in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, who are set to be able to travel to the Etihad.
      And the Spanish regulations should also ensure Atletico Madrid, who have given up home advantage and will meet Chelsea in Bucharest next week, also fly to London for the second leg in March.

      RB Leipzig vs Liverpool – Watch LIVE for FREE, channel info and kick-off time More

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      Man Utd name 17-year-old wonderkid Shola Shoretire in Europa League squad to face Real Sociedad

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have named 17-year-old starlet Shola Shoretire in their squad for the Europa League last 32 tie against Real Sociedad.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils enter the Europa League at the first knockout stage after finishing third in their Champions League group.

      Shola Shoretire has been named in a 27-man squad ahead of Manchester United’s Europa League game against Real SociedadCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Teenage forward Shoretire has already begun training with the first team, having impressed under Neil Wood with the Under-23s.
      He was promoted to the senior side – alongside French prodigy Hannibal Mejbri – after smashing home a hat-trick against Blackburn Rovers for the youth side.
      The talented youngster only signed professional terms at Old Trafford earlier this month.
      Shoretire has been named in an initial 27-strong group that includes four goalkeepers.

      Clubs are allowed to name 12 substitutes which means Shoretire has a good chance of making the cut for the travelling party.
      Amad Diallo is also in the squad after his £37million move from Atalanta in January.
      Academy boss Wood warned the club to be patient with the 18-year-old Ivorian who has made a big impact already at Carrington.
      Diallo bagged three goals and as many assists in his first two games for the Under-23s, including a cheeky Panenka penalty.

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      United will travel to Turin rather than the Basque country for Thursday night’s game amid coronavirus travel restrictions.
      But Uefa have given the club the green light to host the return leg on home soil as Sociedad will have spent less than 48 hours in Manchester, meaning they are not bound by the requirements so can play at Old Trafford.
      United finished behind Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig in Europe’s premier competition and now face a two-legged tie against LaLiga side Sociedad.
      Solskjaer’s men crashed out at the semi-final stage of the tournament last season, losing to eventual winners Sevilla.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Leicester No1 Kasper Schmeichel is overweight and wears a CORSET, claim Slavia Prague ahead of Euro clash

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      SLAVIA PRAGUE have scored an embarrassing own goal in the run up to their Europa League last 32 tie with Leicester City.
      By writing off current Foxes skipper Kasper Schmeichel as a roly-poly-goalie who wears a CORSET under his Leicester kit!

      Slavia Prague aimed a bizarre dig at keeper Kasper SchmeichelCredit: PA:Press Association

      The amazing jibe appears on Slavia TV, the club’s in-house TV website, in the first episode of a mini-series called Leicester Loading which is available on Youtube with English subtitles.
      The Czech champs don’t hang about in episode one as they wind up Schmeichel in a bizarre goalie gaffe!
      In the piece, former Czech Radio reporter and author Jan Hošek gives his lowdown on the Foxes, ahead of Thursday night’s tie in Slavia’s Eden Arena and admits the tie ‘won’t be a walk in the park.’
      However he then goes on to single out Danish international Kasper Schmeichel for a bit of bizarre sledging and says Slavia’s tough taskmaster boss Jindrich Trpisovsky would soon knock the 34-year-old into shape!

      Hosek, turning his attention to Schmeichel, said: “Occasionally he makes a blunder, but overall his performances have been extremely good and he’s also a kind of a glue that holds the team together. 
      “He is a keeper that has had problems with his healthy lifestyle. Certainly a tough manager that favours athleticism and the physical aspects of training, the likes of Trpisovsky, would probably want Schmeichel to lose five or 10 kilos.

      Slavia Prague launched a mini-series called ‘Leicester Loading’

      “And by the way, as far as I know, Schmeichel must be the only Premier League player that, underneath his shirt, wears a corset.”
      Hosek, who has worked in England, clearly doesn’t rate Leicester as a city either and says: “If it weren’t for football you probably wouldn’t know much about it. Leicester is a city in central England. It’s a city where personally I wouldn’t want to live.

      “Apart from the Cathedral and the surroundings there really isn’t much to do there.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Leicester City v Liverpool as it happened More

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      Man Utd star Paul Pogba facing another two weeks on sidelines with thigh injury in huge blow for boss Solskjaer

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are set to be without Paul Pogba for another fortnight due to a persistent thigh injury.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed the Frenchman’s absence before the draw with West Brom but now it appears he may not be back until the end of the month.

      Paul Pogba suffered a thigh injury in the recent draw with EvertonCredit: Reuters

      According to the Mail, no timeframe has been placed on Pogba’s eventual return to the side.
      But it is said that he will sit out another two weeks of United’s hectic fixture schedule.
      A trip to Italy is next up with Real Sociedad hosting the first leg of their Europa League knockout tie, moved from San Sebastian due to coronavirus restrictions.
      United then face Newcastle in the Premier League before the return leg against Sociedad, with Pogba set to miss both games.

      The Frenchman, 27, is reportedly looking at a comeback against Chelsea on February 28 at the earliest.
      A rare midweek off then follows before another crucial league fixture, away to Manchester City.
      The situation has ended one selection headache for United boss Solskjaer, who had seemed to settle on the midfielder playing wide in his 4-2-3-1 before the injury.
      Spectacular winners against Fulham and Burnley came before he featured in a defeat to Sheffield United and draw to Arsenal.

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      Pogba then watched the Red Devils’ 9-0 demolition of Southampton from the bench and lasted just 39 minutes in the draw with Everton before the injury hit.
      After the game, Solskjaer accepted that the player would ‘definitely’ be out for a few weeks.
      He added: “We’ve been very healthy and strong for a long period, so we can’t moan too much.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Adnan Januzaj insists he has ‘nothing to prove’ to Man Utd and hits out over lack of game time while at Old Trafford

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      ADNAN JANUZAJ believes he has ‘nothing to prove’ on his return to Manchester United.
      Real Sociedad face the Red Devils in the first knockout round of the Europa League, with the first leg taking place in Turin on Thursday.

      Adnan Januzaj has recalled his difficult period under Louis van Gaal at Manchester UnitedCredit: Action Images – Reuters

      The meeting will be Januzaj’s first encounter with United since he ended a six-year association with the Premier League giants in 2017.
      Once tipped as the next big thing, the 26-year-old winger has found good form in Spain and still describes his old team as ‘the club I love’.
      He told ESPN: “I don’t have to prove to anyone, I know my qualities.
      “I don’t have to prove to anyone how good I am, I just have to believe in myself, get my games and be happy.

      “I’m really happy to go back there, the club I love.
      “Once I’m on the pitch, there’s going to be no friends because obviously I’m playing for another club now and also I want to win the game.

      “I want to go through with my team. I’m really happy to go back there to see the people but once I’m on the pitch there will be no friends.”
      Januzaj made his debut in David Moyes’ first game in charge having impressed in the youth ranks during Sir Alex Ferguson’s later years at the club.

      Despite a promising run in the side, the Belgium international struggled for game time under Louis van Gaal and fell by the wayside.
      Sent on loan to Borussia Dortmund and Sunderland, where he was relegated in a reunion with Moyes, Januzaj explained his frustration at missing out under the Dutch coach.
      The midfielder recalled: “I had Fergie and David Moyes, coaches that were believing in me, but then some others came in and they wanted a bit more experience in the team.
      “I was a young boy and when you’re a young boy you have to shut up and do what people tell you to do.
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      Januzaj (right) is a regular in Real Sociedad’s experienced setupCredit: AFP or licensors

      “I didn’t have the right coach to push me. For example when Van Gaal came I was playing one game out of six so it was difficult and I was like, ‘What am I doing here?’.
      “The first season under Moyes I was getting game time to show myself. At Manchester United, the most disappointing thing was that I wasn’t getting games.”
      Januzaj started in Real Sociedad’s win at Getafe on the weekend and the LaLiga side, home to fellow Prem old boys David Silva and Nacho Monreal, are the designated home team for Thursday’s 5.55pm kick-off.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Tottenham latest to have Europa League clash moved with Wolfsberger match to take place in Budapest

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      TOTTENHAM’S Europa League away tie with Wolfsberger has been switched to Budapest by Uefa.
      Jose Mourinho’s side had expected to travel to play in Austria as scheduled.

      Jose Mourinho is set for more travel with Tottenham after their Europa League clash was switched to Budapest

      That was after the country’s government lifted a number of Covid restrictions this week.
      But instead Spurs will become one of three English sides playing at the Puskas Arena in the Hungarian capital over the next fortnight.
      Liverpool will be the first in action for their Champions League tie with Leipzig on Tuesday.
      Spurs will then play there 48 hours later.

      The following week Manchester City’s game against Borussia Monchengladbach will also be played in the rebuilt former Nep Stadium.
      Both legs of Arsenal’s Europa League tie with Benfica have now been confirmed on neutral soil.
      That is after Uefa gained approval from the Greek authorities to stage the Gunners’ ‘home’ game in Piraeus.
      And with Manchester United playing Real Sociedad in Turin on Thursday, it means Leicester are the only one of the seven Prem teams who will play at the scheduled away ground.

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      The Foxes will travel to Slavia Prague on Thursday.
      As it stands, only Arsenal will lose home advantage for the second legs.
      However, enhanced restrictions in Saxony could yet force Liverpool’s second leg with Leipzig away from Anfield and onto the continent.
      That is due to take place on March 10.

      Harry Kane and his team-mates will now head to HungaryCredit: Rex Features

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