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      Champions League draw set for major overhaul after chiefs realise it would take FOUR HOURS and 900 balls to complete

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      THE Champions League draw is set for a new look after chiefs realised it could take four hours to complete using the current method.Uefa draws are currently done manually with pots used to separate teams.Uefa draws are set for a revamp ahead of the new look competitionsCredit: AFPBut the Champions, Europa and Conference Leagues will see their formats revamped ahead of next season.The 32-team group stage will go in favour of a 36-team mega league.Sides will play eight different opponents before going into the knockout rounds. Each club will be seeded in one of four pots and they must play two opponents from each pot.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLUefa deputy general secretary Giorgio Marchetti has revealed a fully manual draw is no longer possible in the new format as it could take three to four hours to complete and 900 balls would be needed.Therefore, a “hybrid” draw will be used that incorporates manually pulling teams out the hat and automated elements to speed up the process.Uefa insist any sections that are computerised will be independently monitored to ensure draws are not rigged.The exact system that will be used has not yet been revealed.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL In the new look European competitions, the top eight teams in the 36-team league phase quality for the Last 16.They will also be seeded from one to eight in the knockout rounds in a tennis-style draw.Europa Conference League blunder as ex-Turkey keeper Demirel can’t open draw ball before being shown up by host And those that finished between 9th and 24th go into a play-off round to determine who progresses, with clubs placed 9th to 16th seeded so they can’t face each other.The bottom 12 sides are eliminated and there will be no dropping down competitions.From the Last 16 onwards, the current format of home and away legs will remain in place. More

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      Rangers fan dies in Lisbon after Benfica match as Gers chief says ‘it’s hit everyone at the club extremely hard’

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      A RANGERS fan died in Lisbon following last night’s Europa League match with Benfica.The club confirmed supporter Thomas McAllister, 25, passed away in a “tragic incident” which “hit everyone hard”.Gers fan Thomas McAllister, centre, passed away following last night’s matchTributes flooded in for the fan today following the newsThe circumstances of his his death are not known. Before the match, Thomas – understood to be a dad of two young children – shared a picture on Facebook with two pals alongside the caption: “Ma brothers”. In a statement today, chief executive James Bisgrove said: “On behalf of the club, I want to pass on my sincere condolences to Thomas’ loved ones, family and his friends.“This news has hit everyone at the club extremely hard, as I am sure it will all of our supporters. Nobody should ever go to a football match and not return home.“The club stands ready to assist Thomas’ family in whichever way we can in the coming days and weeks.”Rangers says it is in “constant contact” with both Portuguese and British authorities.An FCDO spokesman said: “We are providing consular assistance to the family of a British man who has died in Lisbon, and are in contact with Portuguese authorities.” Tributes flooded in on social media for Thomas following the news.Most read in FootballOne person wrote: “Aww Tam, what a boy. You will be so missed.”Another said: “No one should go to a match and never return.”A third added: “Rest easy Tam, such a lovely boy.”A fourth put: “Rest in peace, you will be among some of the great Bears up there. Thoughts to all the family.”A fifth added: “Life just isn’t fair. Rest easy Tam, you are one of a kind.”Another person wrote: “A cheeky, funny amazing character.”Shocking moment Italian hooligans with weapons clash with Rangers fans in Lisbon ahead of Benfica Europa League clashRangers fought out a 2-2 draw with Benfica in Lisbon last night.Shocking footage widely shared on social media shows fights breaking out in the tiered seating of the Estadio de Luz.The pre-match build-up to the game had already been marred by ugly scenes in the streets of Lisbon as fighting broke out between Gers and fans from ITALY.Atalanta were in town to face Sporting Lisbon and the two visiting supports clashed on Wednesday night.A group of ultras from the Bergamo-based Serie A side swooped and attacked a group of Gers fans who were in the Eden Aparthotel in the city.READ MORE SUN STORIESThescottishsun.co.uk is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thescottishsun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheScottishSun. More

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      Liverpool icon you forgot was still playing closes in on incredible Cristiano Ronaldo record aged 41

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      PEPE REINA is closing in on Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for most appearances in European competitions.Aged 41, the former Liverpool star is still plying his trade at the highest level.Pepe Reina was in action for Villarreal last nightCredit: AFPThe Spaniard made his first European appearance nearly 25 years agoCredit: GettyCristiano Ronaldo made his final European appearance for Man Utd last seasonCredit: GettyReina, who began his professional career in 1999, has been on the books at Villarreal since 2022.While 21-year-old Filip Jorgensen has taken first choice duties in LaLiga, Reina remains the Yellow Submarine’s goalkeeper in Europe.The 36-cap Spain international has started all seven of his side’s Europa League matches so far this term.His outing last night against Marseille took him to 192 appearances in European competitions, just five behind Ronaldo’s record.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLReina’s European appearances have come in a variety of different competitions.He has played 76 games in the Champions League, and 12 in the qualifying rounds.A further 46 outings have come in the Europa League, with five more in qualifying for Uefa’s second-rung competition.Reina also played in the Europa League precursor, making 30 appearances in the old Uefa Cup.Most read in Europa LeagueHe played 15 times in the similarly dated Intertoto Cup, but more recently added seven Europa Conference League games across qualifying and the group stage.With Liverpool he won the Uefa Super Cup in 2005, beating CSKA Moscow in extra time.Solskjaer reveals Cristiano Ronaldo demanded to skip games… but then kicked off when he was benchedReina started his career at Barcelona, before moving to Villarreal in 2002.After three years he signed for Liverpool to succeed former Reds goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek as No1.He spent the last of his nine-years at Liverpool on loan at Napoli in Serie A, before making a permanent exit to Bayern Munich in 2014.Following a season as Manuel Neuer’s understudy he rejoined Napoli and went on to spend a further three years there.In 2018 he joined AC Milan for a two-year stint, and even returned to the Premier League with Aston Villa on loan from the Italian giants.Two years with Lazio followed, before he finally rejoined Villarreal in 2022.If Reina is to beat Ronaldo’s record for European appearances, he will likely have to continue into next season.That’s because his side’s Europa League hopes were left hanging by a thread as they were beaten 4-0 by Marseille as Stade Velodrome last night.Former Villa midfielder Jordan Veretout got the scoring underway on 23 minutes with a close-range header.Yerson Mosquera then turned beyond Reina in embarrassing fashion to make it 2-0 before the half hour.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang converted from the penalty spot before half-time, then added another with a delicate left-footed chip over the veteran in the second period.READ MORE SUN STORIESReina’s fellow former Red Alberto Moreno compounded his side’s misery by being sent off just after the hour mark.Villarreal will look to launch an unlikely comeback when the two sides reconvene next week, with Reina likely to make European appearance No193.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang dinked a shot over ReinaCredit: AP More

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      Aston Villa fans ‘attacked by Ajax hooligans’ at train station before Europa Conference League clash in Amsterdam

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      SHOCKING footage has emerged appearing to show Aston Villa fans being attacked by Ajax hooligans at a train station.A small group of Brit supporters were reportedly set upon ahead of their Europa Conference League match in Amsterdam on Thursday night.The footage shows one fan struggling to stand up after seemingly having been knocked to the groundCredit: X/@VoetbalUltrasA group of men can then be seen swarming another fan and throwing punchesCredit: X/@VoetbalUltrasAfter they knock the second fan to the ground the hooligans begin kicking himCredit: X/@VoetbalUltrasThe footage shows one fan struggling to stand up after appearing to have been knocked to the floor – while several other men can be seen swarming another Villa supporter.After suffering multiple blows to the head the defenceless fan falls to the ground, while the hooligans continue to kick him.One of the men then turns around and throws a flying punch at the fan who had only just found his feet.The footage then ends abruptly and it is currently unclear what ensued afterwards.read more football hooligansThis is not the first time Ajax hooligans have wreaked chaos ahead of a game.In June 2019, four Ajax thugs were jailed for attacking cops before a Champions League semi-final with Spurs.The four Dutchmen were caught acting violently on CCTV – in a rampage which left one fan with “life threatening” injuries.The Dutch gang-of-four were also banned from every UK football ground for six years.Most read in FootballShocking moment riot police dodge EXPLOSION as Ajax and Marseille fans clash before Europa League matchIn September 2023, riot police were met with multiple explosions as they attempted to disperse clashing Ajax and Marseille fans ahead of their Europa League tie.Riot police got involved in an attempt to separate the two groups, which resulted in them being the target of violence.Police were forced to dodge an explosion that appeared to be a firework, next to a van they had used to create a barrier between fans.And, in October, cops were forced to brandish batons in a bid to stop the violent scenes after Brighton and Ajax played a Europa League match.Shocking video footage emerged showing supporters throwing a mat over a barrier as police shout at them to ‘get back’.As the crowd got larger, the officers were forced to whip out their batons and one ended up on the ground after being pushed over.New rules were introduced by the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) earlier last year to tackle the problem of hooliganism.Stadium bans have become part of the Dutch Association’s methods, and as is the suspension of games – which Ajax fans have forced twice since the new rules came in.However, football experts have said that there is now a type of anarchy in place, that requires the adoption of more stringent measures.One Ajax hooligan then throws a flying punch at the fan who just stumbled up from the groundCredit: X/@VoetbalUltras More

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      Firefighters forced to enter pitch during Europa League clash with match halted as flares rain down from ultras

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      UNION SAINT-GILLOISE’S clash with Fenerbahce was halted after fireworks were thrown onto the pitch.The Europa Conference League last-16 showdown took place tonight at the Stade Joseph Marien in Belgium.Firefighters were called into action in the Europa Conference LeagueCredit: RexThe clash between Union Saint-Gilloise and Fenerbahce was halted just seconds after the startCredit: RexThe away end continued to throw flares on to the pitch while firefighters removed themCredit: RexSmoke filled the air before the fireworks were eventually clearedCredit: RexHowever, just as the action had got underway, firefighters were forced to step in.As these photos and clip show, a number of flares and fireworks were thrown by Ultras in the away end.Hordes of smoke filled the 9,400-capacity ground as the referee and players remained on the pitch waiting to get the first-leg up and running.But they had to wait until members of the fire service came out to remove the blazing fireworks.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLFiremen were pictured attempting to put out the orange flames, while another had hold of two smoking flares as he raced from the field.White and yellow smoke, the colours of the Turkish visitors from Fenerbahce, continued to fill the air.And despite the firefighters racing on to remove the flares, more continued to be hurled from the upper tier down to the turf.Fortunately, after a brief delay, play was eventually resumed.Most read in Europa LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFormer Chelsea striker Michy Buatshuayi gave Fenerbahce the lead after 20 minutes of the match.Then, with just six minutes of normal time remaining, the visitors doubled their advantage through Dutch left-back Jayden Oosterwolde.Dundee fans delay Premiership clash vs Hibs by throwing pyro flare on the Easter Road pitchAnd then ex-Southampton attacker Dusan Tadic made it three in the fourth minute of additional time to virtually book their spot in the next round.The two sides meet again next week in second-leg back in Turkey at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.Former Chelsea star Michy Batshuayi gave Fenerbahce the leadCredit: Rex More

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      Roma 4 Brighton 0: Wasteful Seagulls’ Europa League hopes all but over as Italian heavyweights teach them harsh lesson

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      ROMELU LUKAKU helped Roma’s demolition of Brighton as he continues to taunt Chelsea.The on-loan Blues striker hit his seventh in eight Europa League games while Mauricio Pochettino’s men remain in dire need of goals.Brighton were thrashed by Roma in the Last 16 of the Europa LeagueCredit: GettyPaulo Dybala, Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante were also on target, leaving Roberto De Zerbi’s men with a mountain to climb at the Amex next week.The Seagulls, who have been decimated by injuries, have had their season implode in the space of ten days as they crashed out to Wolves in the FA Cup before losing 3-0 to Fulham in the Prem.The club’s biggest night in their history was also marred by the stabbings of two of their fans on Wednesday night by a masked gang of thugs.One of the victims, Jack, heroically made it into the stands despite having ten stitches and walking on crutches.Read More on FootballRoma started brightly with Leonardo Spinazzola fizzing a menacing cross at Chelsea loanee Lukaku who stung the hands of Jason Steele with a header.Brighton hit back with Simon Adingra twisting and turning into the net before firing a shot, which bobbled off Evan N’Dicka and onto the post.Both sides favour fluid movement, tactical flexibility and high energy with a fire in their bellies to fight for something bigger than themselves.But Brighton looked a nervous wreck and Roma made them pay.Most read in FootballDybala ripped through Brighton’s defence, while Lewis Dunk was caught napping, rounded Steele and slotted into an empty net on 12 minutes. The flag went up but after a short VAR check and the Olimpico went berserk as the goal was given.EXCL: My uncle played in the World Cup final, now I’m making my own way starring for Premier League clubBrighton had another go, this time with Adringra shimmying up the left flank and teeing up Danny Welbeck whose downward header steered just shy of goal.Tempers flared when Jan Paul van Hecke was booked for lunging in on Lorenzo Pellegrini.CHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Dunk failed to deal with a long ball, mis-controlling it and gifting Lukaku the chance to pounce.The Chelsea loanee zipped forward, outmuscling Dunk before lashing a fierce, low drive beyond Steele on 43 minutes.Brighton weren’t going into the break with their tail between their legs, and Welbeck steered a bullet header at Mile Svilar who tipped it over.De Zerbi substituted on-loan Barcelona striker Ansu Fati for Julio Enciso at the break but things only got worse.Steele palmed away yet another Lukaku header which so very easily could have made it 3-0.Gianluca Mancini tucked in though with an outstretched leg to poke home a cross on 65 minutes as Brighton started to crumble.Mancini celebrated by charging in front of the boisterous Roma fans and bowing.There was a brief VAR check for offside but the goal was given with Mancini on by a whisker.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe mountain to climb became Everest when Stephan El Shaarawy flicked the ball across to Cristante who was well clear of Igor Julio to nod past Steele on 69 minutes.Dunk nearly redeemed himself by firing a dipping and curling shot over the bar after a desperate scramble in the box but it wasn’t meant to be. More

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      Sparta Prague 1 Liverpool 5: Klopp’s side have one foot in Europa League quarter-finals after Darwin Nunez stunners

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      MO SALAH returned to action to give Liverpool a huge boost ahead of Sunday’s Premier League battle with Manchester City.The Egyptian international, who had not featured since February 18 due to a recurrence of a hamstring issue, replaced Luis Diaz in the 74th minute for only his third Liverpool game of 2024.Darwin Nunez scored twice as Liverpool romped to victory over Sparta PragueCredit: AlamyMo Salah also made his return from injury for the RedsCredit: EPAWithin 10 minutes of his introduction, Salah thought he had struck a fifth goal but it was ruled out by VAR for offside.By then, Liverpool had effectively put both feet in the Europa League quarter-finals with a penalty from Alexis Mac Allister, a Darwin Nunez double and the fourth from Luis Diaz.In injury-time, Dominik Szoboszlai made it 5-1 to make next Thursday’s second leg a formality.Sparta, who trailed 3-0 at the break, pulled one goal back in the first minute of the second half thanks to an own goal by Conor Bradley.Yet despite the Czechs missing a few chances, Liverpool were always in command.And the only worry ahead of Sunday’s game was an injury to Ibrahima Konate while Joe Gomez was also replaced at half-time.Liverpool were not at their best but they did not need to be against a poor Czech side. Sparta pressed the self-destruct button after five minutes when Mac Allister was kicked to the ground by Asger Sorensen and the Liverpool midfielder sent keeper Peter Vindahl the wrong way.Most read in SportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSNunez marked his 50th Liverpool start by creating something out of nothing with a dipping shot from outside the area although bungling home keeper Vindahl dived past the shot.It was the 1000th goal Liverpool have scored under Jurgen Klopp.Virgil Van Dijk makes incredibly generous gesture to Caoimhin Kelleher after his heroics in Carabao Cup finalVeljko Birmancevic missed an open goal for Sparta and then Nunez grabbed his second by smashing a half-volley into the far corner with the last kick of the first half.Klopp substituted Bradley for Gomez at half-time and he would not have expected the young right-back to hammer the ball into his own net 39 seconds into the second half.Diaz grabbed the fourth with a deflected shot and while Salah was denied by VAR, midfielder Szoboszlai made it 5-1 from the edge of the area although again, the keeper was at fault. More

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      Europa League LIVE SCORES: West Ham lose to Freiburg, Liverpool BEAT Sparta Prague, Brighton thrashed by Roma – latest

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      ALL eyes are on the Europa League tonight with English sides back in last-16 action. West Ham lost 1-0 to Freiburg and were denied a penalty late on by VAR. Earlier in the evening, Liverpool beat Sparta Prague 5-1 thanks to a brilliant brace from Darwin Nunez and Brighton were thrashed 4-0 by Roma in their first leg clash.
      Kick-off times: 5.45pm GMT & 8pm GMT
      Stream/TV: TNT Sports/Discovery+
      Hammers still confident of progressing
      Despite defeat in Freiburg this evening, David Moyes’ team will go back to the London Stadium full of confidence that they can turn this tie around.
      Only a goal behind, The Hammers have plenty of goals in this team, especially on home soil.
      It is all set up now for another classic night in Europe for the club, something they are starting to get used to now.
      Copy linkCopiedSeagulls unable to take flight in Rome
      Albeit new for Brighton, having to juggle both domestic and European competition, they will be disappointed this evening.
      Roberto De Zerbi will feel his team could have given a far better account of themselves in Rome.
      Suffering a 4-0 defeat it seems a long way back for Brighton if they are stand any chance of progressing to the next round.
      Credit: Getty
      Credit: Getty
      Copy linkCopiedWaturo does thankless job for Klopp
      Defensive midfielders never get the credit they should, especially when you were your club’s third choice to buy after Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
      Once again this evening, Waturo Endo put in a solid performance for Liverpool and steadied the ship in the heart of midfield.
      If Jurgen Klopp is going to win trophies in his last season with the club, Endo is going to be one of the big players who will have made that happen.

      Copy linkCopiedCompetitions need clarity of rules
      Rangers can feel hard done by with the penalty they conceded this evening as Souttar was adjudged to have handled in the box.
      In this country, that would not be given as he headed the ball onto his own arm with no intention of doing so.
      However, it seems in Europe that the rules are different and teams need clarity on this or it will cause more negativity.
      Credit: Getty
      Copy linkCopiedAge is but a number, class is permanent
      Angel Di Maria showed this evening why he is an integral part of the success of this Benfica side, even at the ripe old age of 36-years-old.
      He was a constant thorn in the side of Rangers, scoring the penalty that drew the game level in the first half.
      Phillipe Clement will need to have a plan to cope with him at Ibrox if they are to make the quarter-finals.

      Copy linkCopiedFT: AC Milan 4-2 Slavia Prague
      The team who knocked out Newcastle out of Europe look set to have a good chance of making the quarter-finals.
      Milan will take a two-goal lead to Prague for the second leg.
      It is still anybody’s game, the visitors were definitely hampered by going down to ten-men when having a player sent-off this evening.

      Copy linkCopiedFT: Marseille 4-0 Villarreal
      A brace from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang helped the French side to a convincing victory in the ’round of 16′.
      The Spanish side have a massive mountain to climb if they want to progress to the next round.
      Marseille willl feel they are capable of seeing this tie out and booking their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
      The visitors did not have one single shot on target during the entire game.

      Copy linkCopiedFT: Benfica 2-2 Rangers
      The referee brings the game to a close in Portugal.
      Not many teams get anything at the Estadio da Luz, Phillipe Clement’s side must take this as a huge performance.
      They now get to take them back to Ibrox, which no doubt will be bouncing, for the second leg all level.

      Copy linkCopiedFT: Freiburg 1-0 West Ham
      It is all over in Germany.
      West Ham are edged out in what was quite an even game.
      Alvarez gave the ball away on the halfway line, which then led to the goal which Freiburg will try to defend in London.

      Copy linkCopiedFreiburg 1-0 West Ham
      90+7. Wow. The referee decides no penalty.
      We are not used to that in the Premier League, any time an official goes to the monitor, the decision changes.
      That seems like West Ham’s last chance of a goal gone.
      Copy linkCopiedFreiburg 1-0 West Ham
      90+6. The ball hits Noah Weisshaupt’s arm in the box.
      West Ham claim for a penalty but the referee is not interested.
      VAR is though and sends him to the monitor.
      Copy linkCopiedBenfica 2-2 Rangers
      86. Roofe is putting in a real shift since coming on for Rangers.
      He is chasing down every ball and making sure the defenders have no time on the ball whatsoever.
      As he challenges Silva, he screams out in pain trying to get a free kick and a booking for the player,
      The referee is not interested and when he realises, making a miraculous recovery and is not injured at all.
      We need to start booking players for this, supposed big hard defenders who simulate fouls.
      Copy linkCopiedFreiburg 1-0 West Ham
      88. Just after the goal, Moyes brings off Ward-Prowse for Phillips.
      Not sure whether that is tactical or just to make sure Gareth Southgate did not have a wasted trip to see his favourite player.
      Either way, time is running out for West Ham to find an equaliser.
      Copy linkCopiedAC Milan 4-2 Slavia Prague
      85. Just as the visitors had worked so hard to get back into this game, they let it slip with another goal conceded.
      Rafael Leao does well again to lay it on a plate for Pulisic and it is a simple finish for the American.
      It gives them a two-goal lead to take into the second leg.
      Copy linkCopiedGoal – Christian Pulisic (AC Milan)
      Copy linkCopiedFreiburg 1-0 West Ham
      81. The deadlock is finally broken in the final ten minutes.
      In what has been a very even game, Michael Gregoritsch gets the all important goal in Germany.
      Roland Sallai shoots across goal and the Austrian sub nips in between two West Ham players to poke home.
      Credit: Getty
      Copy linkCopiedGoal – Michael Gregoritsch (Freiburg)
      Copy linkCopiedBenfica 2-2 Rangers
      67. Rangers have hit the self-destruct button in Portugal.
      A curling ball is swung into the box and Goldson only has Rangers players around him, with the ball seemingly heading back to Butland.
      Goldson gets his head to it and puts it in the far corner of his own goal.
      Copy linkCopiedOwn goal – Connor Goldson (Rangers)
      Copy linkCopiedFreiburg 0-0 West Ham
      65. Almost the deadlock broken in Germany.
      Jarrod Bowen cuts in from the right and bends a left-footed shot towards goal which seems to be heading in.
      Noah Atubolu makes a sublime save to deny the visitors a goal.
      Copy linkCopiedAC Milan 3-2 Slavia Prague
      65. The visitors do not seem to have read the script tonight.
      As AC Milan fail to clear their lines in their own box, Schranz reacts quickest to slot the ball home.
      This puts the cat amongst the pigeons at the San Siro for the remainder of the game.
      Copy linkCopiedGoal – Ivan Schranz (Slavia Prague)
      Copy linkCopiedBenfica 1-2 Rangers
      56. The Portuguese side are still trying to get forward at any opportunity but Clement’s side are defending well.
      Not that it is back against the wall stuff as Rangers have had their fair share of half-chances also.
      They just seem to need to show a little more composure in the final third.
      Credit: Willie Vass
      Copy linkCopiedMarseille 4-0 Villarreal
      60. The French side are looking to get this tie won tonight.
      A sublime lob from the former Arsenal striker with his left-foot to increase the lead.
      This could turn into an even heavier defeat for the Spaniards with 30 minutes of the game still to play.
      Copy linkCopiedGoal – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Marseille)
      Copy linkCopied More