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      Europa League draw LIVE: Liverpool land dream tie, West Ham face Germans, Rangers take on Portuguese giants – reaction

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      THE Europa League last-16 draw has concluded at the Uefa headquarters in Switzerland – and there are some mouth-watering ties for British clubs to look forward to.Liverpool will face Czech champions Sparta Prague while West Ham take on German side Freiburg.
      Brighton take on Italian giants Roma and Rangers will go head-to-head with Benfica.
      Elsewhere, Premier League high-flyers Aston Villa face Ajax in the Europa Conference League last-16.

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      Villa’s trip to Ajax
      Villa’s trip to Ajax in the Europa Conference League could have a huge bearing on their race for top four.
      They will travel to Amsterdam on March 7, before hosting Spurs at Villa Park three days later on Sunday March 10.
      The game against Tottenham will be at 1pm too,further minimising turnaround time for the Villains.
      The two clubs are the current favourites for finishing fourth and the games being so close together could affect Unai Emery’s team selection.
      Credit: Getty
      Copy linkCopiedEuropa Conference League fixtures
      Here’s when Aston Villa play next in the Europa Conference League:
      March 7:
      Ajax vs Aston Villa
      March 14:
      Aston Villa vs Ajax
      Copy linkCopiedEuropa League fixtures
      Here’s the full schedule of the British teams’ upcoming Europa League fixtures:
      March 7, 8pm:

      Benfica vs Rangers
      Roma vs Brighton
      Freiburg vs West Ham
      Sparta Prague vs Liverpool

      March 14, 8pm:

      Rangers vs Benfica
      Brighton vs Roma
      West Ham vs Freiburg
      Liverpool vs Sparta Prague

      Copy linkCopiedLiverpool’s injury worries
      Liverpool are sweating on the fitness of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final.
      Forwards Salah and Nunez were both injured during last Saturday’s win at Brentford and missed the midweek over Luton, while midfield man Szoboszlai has missed four matches with a hamstring injury.
      But Liverpool’s assistant boss Pep Lijnders says he hopes the trio will be fit for the Wembley clash with Chelsea.
      Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota and Alisson are all out for at least another month.
      This comes after the Merseysiders drew Sparta Prague in the Europa League’s Last 16 with their first match set for March 7 in the Czech Republic.
      With Dom, Darwin and Mo we have to really see. We have two more days and we will check if they are there. It would be great if they can be ready.Pep Lijnders
      Copy linkCopiedEuropa Conference League draw
      Here’s the full draw of the Europa Conference League Last 16 draw:

      Servette vs Viktoria Plzen
      Ajax vs Aston Villa
      Molde vs Club Brugge
      Union Saint-Gilloise vs Fenerbahce
      Dinamo Zagreb vs PAOK
      Sturm Graz vs Lille
      Maccabi Haifa vs Fiorentina
      Olympiacos vs Maccabi Tel Aviv

      Copy linkCopiedEuropa Conference League draw
      Aston Villa have drawn Ajax in the Europa Conference League’s Last 16.
      The first game will take place away in Amsterdam before the second leg at Villa Park.
      Copy linkCopiedEuropa Conference League next
      Aston Villa are the next British club to find out their opponents in Europe.
      But Villa will be playing in the Last 16 of the Europa Conference League.
      Here are their potential opponents:

      Ajax
      Dinamo Zagreb
      Maccabi Haifa
      Molde
      Olympiacos
      Servette
      Sturm Graz
      Union SG

      Copy linkCopiedEuropa League fixtures
      Liverpool, Brighton, West Ham and Rangers return to European action next month int he Europa League Last 16.
      The first legs are scheduled for March 7 and the second legs of the competition’s knockout stage will take place a week later on March 14.
      The British clubs will first play away and then host their opponents in the crucial return fixture.
      That means Liverpool, Brighton, West Ham and Rangers first fly to Sparta Prague, Roma, Freiburg and Benfica respectively.
      Copy linkCopiedEuropa League Draw
      Here’s the full fixtures list for the Last 16:

      Sparta Prague vs Liverpool
      Marseille vs Villarreal
      Roma vs Brighton
      Benfica vs Rangers
      Freiburg vs West Ham
      Sporting Lisbon vs Atalanta
      AC Milan vs Slavia Prague
      Qarabag vs Bayer Leverkusen

      Copy linkCopied
      Europa League Draw

      Qarabag vs Bayer Leverkusen
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      Europa League Draw

      And finally…
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      Europa League Draw

      AC Milan vs Slavia Prague
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      Europa League Draw

      AC Milan to find out their opponents…
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      Europa League Draw

      Sporting Lisbon vs Atalanta
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      Europa League Draw

      Sporting Lisbon are next…
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      Europa League Draw

      Freiburg vs West Ham
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      Europa League Draw

      Freiburg will face…
      Copy linkCopiedEuropa League Draw
      Benfica vs Rangers
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      Europa League Draw

      Benfica are next…
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      Europa League Draw

      Roma vs Brighton
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      Europa League Draw

      Roma waiting for their next opponent…
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      Europa League Draw

      Marseille vs Villarreal
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      Europa League Draw

      Marseille are next…
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      Europa League Draw

      Sparta Prague vs Liverpool
      Copy linkCopiedEuropa League Draw
      Sparta Prague first out the pot
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      Porto 1-0 Arsenal LIVE RESULT – Gunners have it all to do after Galeno fires hosts to Champions League last last 16 win

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      ARSENAL have been stunned in their Champions League last 16 first leg courtesy of Galeno’s stoppage-time strike.It seemed as if the Gunners were going to escape Portugal with a goalless draw.
      However, Galeno’s sublime effort means the Gunners will need to score a minimum of two in the reverse fixture.

      RESULT: Porto 1-0 Arsenal
      Live stream: discovery+
      TV channel: TNT Sport 1
      Porto starting lineup: Diogo Costa; Mario, Otavia, Pepe, Wendell; Nico Gonzalez, Varela; Conceicao, Pepe, Galeno; Evanilson
      Arsenal starting lineup: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Rice, Odegaard, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli

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      Refocus needed to use defeat as springboard
      You learn more from defeat than you do victory.
      The result in Portugal tonight could prepare Arsenal more for the remainder of the season.
      With a big game against Newcastle on the weekend, Mikel Arteta will be looking for his team to bounce back with a win.

      Copy linkCopiedLessons to be learnt for Gunners
      They were heavy favourites to win this leg in Portugal but it has not gone according to plan for Mikel Arteta.
      Arsenal will still be heavily fancied to progress to the quarter-finals with home advantage in the second leg.
      However, this has been a harsh lesson this evening.
      Read the full match report here.
      Copy linkCopiedBoss focussed on improving team focus
      The Arsenal manager spoke about where he felt this game was lost in Portugal this evening:
      We lacked threat. We lacked aggression in the final third. These are things we are going to have to better in the second leg. We know them now and what to expect.Mikel ArtetaArsenal
      Copy linkCopiedGunners left wanting in Europe
      Lately in the Premier League, Arsenal have not been able to stop scoring 11 goals in their last two games.
      Leandro Trossard played down the middle today, but Mikel Arteta’s side seemed to be lacking that focal point in the final third.
      All too often he drifted into areas where he cannot hurt the opposition leaving Arsenal looking blunt in attack.

      Copy linkCopiedNorwegian pipeline shut off in Portugal
      Martin Odegaard was rendered ineffective by Porto this evening.
      When he did have the ball, he was unable to thread passes into dangerous areas to create chances for The Gunners.
      If Arsenal are on form, it tends to be because the Norwegian midfielder is pulling the strings in the middle.
      However, this evening Porto have shown that if you stop Odegaard, you stop Arsenal.

      Copy linkCopiedFT: Porto 1-0 Arsenal
      We had our second shot on target in this game after 94 minutes.
      Not that Porto will care as they saw it bend into the corner of the goal.
      Arsenal go back to dominating possession and having no penetration in the final third to do anything with it.

      Copy linkCopiedFT: Porto 1-0 Arsenal
      The referee brings the game to a close.
      Arsenal have lost their first game of 2024.
      Porto’s fans erupt as they hear the final whistle.
      Scenes.
      Copy linkCopiedPorto 1-0 Arsenal
      90+4. What a strike from the Porto playmaker.
      From about twenty yards out, he shifts it from under his feet and bends one into the top corner.
      In addded time, we finally have a shot on target and what an important goal it could be for Porto.
      Copy linkCopiedGoal – Galeno (Porto)
      Copy linkCopiedPorto 0-0 Arsenal
      90+2. Saka goes down as he cuts inside and wins his side a free-kick.
      Odegaard and Rice stand over the ball.
      Gabriel comes over to tell them what he wants from this.
      Rice puts it straight on Gabriel’s head and he balloons it over the bar.
      Maybe they should have told the outspoken centre-back what they expect from him too.
      Credit: Reuters
      Copy linkCopiedPorto 0-0 Arsenal
      90. White is penalised for a clumsy foul in the final third.
      It gives Porto the chance to punish them late on now.
      Yet again, it is a terrible delivery, nowhere near any of their own players.
      We are going to have four additional minutes.
      Copy linkCopiedPorto 0-0 Arsenal
      88. Saka whips in Arsenal’s ninth corner of the game.
      Yet they are still to register a single shot on goal.
      We have seen some great games in the Champions League this season, this is not one of them.
      Copy linkCopiedPorto 0-0 Arsenal
      86. If the score remains like this, you would have to say it is a better result for Arsenal than it is Porto.
      We will have a straight shootout in North London.
      Arsenal force a corner, with the Porto players are protesting that decision to the referee.
      Copy linkCopiedPorto 0-0 Arsenal
      84. It has been another ‘invisible man’ performance by Kai Havertz this evening.
      Porto are bringing on Martinez and Borges.
      Looking for some impetus in the final stages of the game.
      Copy linkCopiedPorto 0-0 Arsenal
      82. There will be no need for either keeper to throw their gloves away after this game, that is for sure.
      If they were to sell them online, it would be the epitomy of a ‘like new’ posting.
      Neither side seem able to string a series of passes together at the moment.
      Credit: Getty
      Copy linkCopiedPorto 0-0 Arsenal
      80. We are into the final ten minutes of the game now.
      There won’t be much added time at the end of this one.
      Not like the Premier League, where there could be another twenty minutes left at least.
      Copy linkCopiedPorto 0-0 Arsenal
      78. Odegaard comes forward and feeds the ball to Saka.
      The Arsenal winger can make no progress and passes it all the way back to the halfway line.
      Arteta’s side manage to force another corner.
      Copy linkCopiedPorto 0-0 Arsenal
      76. Jorginho gives the ball away and Porto can break.
      Arsenal try and get numbers behind the ball.
      The hosts pass it all the way back to the defence and look to start again.
      Copy linkCopiedPorto 0-0 Arsenal
      74. Trossard is coming off for Jorginho.
      Quite a negative substitution by Mikel Arteta.
      Striker for a defensive midfielder, shutting up shop it seems.
      Copy linkCopiedPorto 0-0 Arsenal
      72. Rice floats in another corner but Costa does well to punch clear.
      Arsenal recycle the ball and try to knock it long towards Rice.
      Once again, the keeper comes to collect making it look easy.
      Copy linkCopiedPorto 0-0 Arsenal
      70. Pepe is having a great game at the back for Porto.
      He is showing that age is but a number tonight.
      The veteran centre-back has bossed Havertz, Martinelli and Trossard.
      Credit: Getty
      Copy linkCopiedPorto 0-0 Arsenal
      68. Porto have a horrendous record in North London.
      Whether that plays on the mind of the manager as the game goes on will remain to be seen.
      They will have wanted some sort of a lead to take to The Emirates.
      Copy linkCopiedPorto 0-0 Arsenal
      66. Another big chance for Porto goes begging.
      As Pepe does well getting to the byline he cuts it back to Evanilson.
      Just as he looks to pull the trigger, Rice gets a foot in the deflect the ball wide for a corner.
      Copy linkCopiedPorto 0-0 Arsenal
      64. Still plenty of time left in this game for some action.
      Not sure whether these two teams are cancelling each other out or not.
      Saka comes forward down the right but Wendell cuts out the pass.
      Copy linkCopiedPorto 0-0 Arsenal
      62. Porto come forward and are looking dangerous but lose the ball.
      Martinelli cuts inside towards goal but is too easily dispossessed.
      Sums up the evening for The Gunners’ attack.
      Copy linkCopied More

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      Napoli vs Barcelona – Champions League LIVE SCORE: Italians face Spanish giants in first game after Mazzarri sacking

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      NAPOLI host Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.The Italians sacked manager Walter Mazzarri on Monday with Francesco Calzona replacing him.
      Napoli will be hoping to kick off the post-Mazzarri era with a huge win against a Barcelona side that has had an underwhelming season so far.

      Kick off time: 8pm GMT
      TV/Stream: TNT Sports 2

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    • 263 Shares99 Views

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      Liverpool vs Luton LIVE SCORE: Latest Premier League updates as Reds look to extend lead at top of the tree

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      LIVERPOOL host Luton Town TONIGHT in a huge Premier League clash at Anfield.The Reds are looking to extend their lead at the top of the tree as they face a Hatters side that have lost back-to-back games.

      Kick off time: 7.30pm GMT
      TV/Stream: Not televised in the UK.

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      PSV vs Borussia Dortmund LIVE SCORE: Latest Champions League updates as BVB look to take lead back to Germany

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND travel to PSV for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.Edin Terzic’s side finished above PSG, Newcastle and AC Milan to be crowned Group F champions.
      PSV finished runners-up to Arsenal in Group B to reach the last-16 of the Champions League for the first time since the 2015/16 season.

      Kick off time: 8pm GMT
      TV/Stream: TNT Sports 2

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      Inter Milan vs Atletico Madrid LIVE SCORE: Latest Champions League updates as Italian giants host Spaniards

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      INTER MILAN host Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.The Italian giants are yet to be beaten in Europe this season after winning three and drawing three in Group D.
      Atletico are also yet to taste defeat in the Champions League this campaign after four wins and two draws in Group E.

      Kick off time: 8pm GMT
      TV/Stream: TNT Sports 1

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      Man City 1 Brentford 0: Haaland’s now scored against EVERY team he’s faced in Prem as City keep heat on Liverpool

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      PEP GUARDIOLA said there was no room for slip-ups in what looks set to be a nip-and-tuck title race.Luckily for Manchester City, the only one here came from Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer.
      Erling Haaland broke the deadlock in the second halfCredit: Rex
      The goal proved to be the winnerCredit: Reuters
      The defender stumbled 19 minutes from time under pressure from his countryman Erling Haaland – of all people.
      Eat your heart out Steven Gerrard.
      And he would have known better than anyone that when it’s Haaland stood nearby, you know what happened next.
      The forward answered his critics by bursting through on goal and beating Mark Flekken for his 17th league goal of the season.
      Did anyone really doubt him?
      He missed nine chances in the draw against Chelsea on Saturday and for the first time there were a few questions about him.
      Yet the former Borussia Dortmund forward provided the answer in the only way he knows to put City firmly back on heels of Liverpool.
      It was also a good time for Haaland to complete the set.
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      He had scored against every Prem team in his 18 months in England – apart from Brentford. Well he has now.
      Thomas Frank sprang a surprise by leaving out Neal Maupay – who was involved In a heated row with Kyle Walker when the two teams met 15 days ago.
      Eight of the greatest players to never win the Ballon d’Or despite their incredible careers
      That meant the pair were spared an awkward handshake when the teams lined up before the game.
      Yet Guardiola had a surprise up his sleeve too, leaving Kevin De Bruyne on the bench and giving a first Prem start to Oscar Bobb.
      Former Borussia Dortmund forward Haaland looked up for it as he won possession on the wing but then fired his shot straight at  Flekken.
      Phil Foden, given a more central role in the absence of KDB, saw a stinging volley blocked then dragged another shot wide.
      And Haaland – who wasted NINE chances against Chelsea at the weekend – saw a header and a volley go too high.
      City had been well on top without getting their noses in front and they were almost caught out when Yoanne Wissa’s delightful pass sent Frank Onyeka away.
      He shot tamely straight at Ederson – much to the dismay of Ivan Toney who was in a much better position to score.
      The Bees forward took out his frustration on a 25 yard free-kick that whistled over the bar – but City were not having things their own way.
      Rodri’s pass to the back post was nodded back across goal by Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva got his bearings all wrong and planted his header wide.

      Manuel Akanji’s dipping 25-yarder was pushed over by Flekken, who also got down well to palm away a Ruben Dias header.
      The Bees keeper had an outstanding first half in the reverse fixture earlier this month – despite eventually conceding three – and was doing his bit again.
      Watching Netherlands international boss Ronald Koeman must have been impressed.
      When the Dutchman was finally beaten after some clever play from Bobb he was rescued by a goalline clearance from former City youth captain Ben Mee.
      Just like in their games here against Everton and Chelsea, the treble winners had been below par in the first half.
      Even so, they had managed 17 efforts on goal in the first half – six of them on target – but had not found a way through.
      And Onyeka fired a warning that the Bees still posed a danger as his header needed a flying save from Ederson on the stroke of half-time.
      You had to admire the way Frank’s men had dusted themselves down and regrouped after a thumping at the hands of Liverpool on Saturday.
      Guardiola was trying to gee up the crowd in the early minutes of the second half but there was little from his team to get them going.
      The manager made a change on the hour – throwing on Jeremy Doku in place of Bobb as his team had gone flat.
      With the whole game on a knife edge, the last thing City needed to see was Maupay entering the stage a few minutes later.
      He was booed onto the pitch but as one of the Prem’s leading pantomime villains he would probably have liked that.
      He’d have liked the clattering challenge he got from- yep, you guessed it – Walker a few minutes later a little less.
      Foden had a sight of goal when the ball was worked out to him on the edge of the box – but skied it miles over the bar.
      It was beginning to look like it wasn’t going to be City’s night.
      But when you have Haaland in your team, you always have a chance.
      And after good work from Foden and Julian Alvarez he burst clear, took advantage of a slip from Ajer and slotted home.
      Foden had the chance to put the seal on things when he went round the keeper but Flekken did enough to push it round the post. 
      See how the game unfolded below… More

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      Everton vs Crystal Palace LIVE SCORE: Latest Premier League updates as Toffees look to climb out of relegation zone

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      EVERTON host Crystal Palace in a huge Premier League clash on Monday Night Football.The Toffees are currently in the relegation zone and haven’t tasted victory in the top flight since before Christmas.
      Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are slipping towards the bottom three after losing back-to-back games in the Premier League.

      Kick off time: 8pm GMT
      TV/Stream: Sky Sports Premier League/NOW

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