Fiorentina are handily placed for a spot in the Europa League quarter-finals thanks to Mario Gomez’ 37th goal in European competition. The Germany international struck 12 minutes after coming on as a 67th-minute substitute in the Round-of-16 first leg away to Juventus, earning his side a 1-1 draw against Italy’s most successful club.
The crucial strike was Gomez’ first since returning from a long injury lay-off. The former Bayern Munich hitman had been out of action since September with ruptured knee ligaments and an inflamed tendon but made an initial comeback on 15 February. Former Leverkusen midfielder Arturo Vidal handed Juventus a third-minute lead in the all-Italian contest in Turin. Ex-Hoffenheim defender Marvin Compper failed to make the Fiorentina squad.
Marin and Trochowski in a jam with Sevilla
By contrast former Germany internationals Marko Marin and Piotr Trochowski face an uphill struggle with Sevilla. The Seville derby finished 2-0 to visiting Real Betis, with Leo Baptistão (15) and Salvador Sevilla (77) on target for the side languishing at the bottom of the Spanish standings. Marin came on as a 66th-minute substitute for the home side with Trochowski spending the 90 minutes on the bench.
FC Porto, conquerors of Eintracht Frankfurt in the previous round, are in a good position after the first leg of their meeting with Napoli. The 27-time Portuguese champions beat the Serie A side by the only goal of the game from Jackson Martínez (57). Porto progressed from the Round of 32 on away goals following 2-2 and 3-3 draws with Frankfurt.
Advantage Salzburg
Austrian runners-up RB Salzburg came home from Basel with high hopes of making the next stage. The team under German coach Roger Schmidt turned in a tactical masterclass to hold the Swiss champions to a goalless draw.
Previous year’s finalists Benfica sealed an even more creditable result away to two-time UEFA Cup winners Tottenham Hotspur. Portugal’s most successful club won 3-1 at White Hart Lane thanks to goals from Rodrigo (30) and a Luisão brace (58 and 84). Christian Eriksen scored for Spurs with 64 minutes played.
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Fiorentina are handily placed for a spot in the Europa League quarter-finals thanks to Mario Gomez’ 37th goal in European competition. The Germany international struck 12 minutes after coming on as a 67th-minute substitute in the Round-of-16 first leg away to Juventus, earning his side a 1-1 draw against Italy’s most successful club.
The crucial strike was Gomez’ first since returning from a long injury lay-off. The former Bayern Munich hitman had been out of action since September with ruptured knee ligaments and an inflamed tendon but made an initial comeback on 15 February. Former Leverkusen midfielder Arturo Vidal handed Juventus a third-minute lead in the all-Italian contest in Turin. Ex-Hoffenheim defender Marvin Compper failed to make the Fiorentina squad.
Marin and Trochowski in a jam with Sevilla
By contrast former Germany internationals Marko Marin and Piotr Trochowski face an uphill struggle with Sevilla. The Seville derby finished 2-0 to visiting Real Betis, with Leo Baptistão (15) and Salvador Sevilla (77) on target for the side languishing at the bottom of the Spanish standings. Marin came on as a 66th-minute substitute for the home side with Trochowski spending the 90 minutes on the bench.
FC Porto, conquerors of Eintracht Frankfurt in the previous round, are in a good position after the first leg of their meeting with Napoli. The 27-time Portuguese champions beat the Serie A side by the only goal of the game from Jackson Martínez (57). Porto progressed from the Round of 32 on away goals following 2-2 and 3-3 draws with Frankfurt.
Advantage Salzburg
Austrian runners-up RB Salzburg came home from Basel with high hopes of making the next stage. The team under German coach Roger Schmidt turned in a tactical masterclass to hold the Swiss champions to a goalless draw.
Previous year’s finalists Benfica sealed an even more creditable result away to two-time UEFA Cup winners Tottenham Hotspur. Portugal’s most successful club won 3-1 at White Hart Lane thanks to goals from Rodrigo (30) and a Luisão brace (58 and 84). Christian Eriksen scored for Spurs with 64 minutes played.
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Valencia all but through
Valencia are odds-on to make the last eight following a convincing 3-0 victory away to Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad despite the six-time Spanish champions playing with ten men for more than an hour. Antonio Barragán (5), Fede Cartabia (33) and Philippe Senderos (59) scored for the visitors, who successfully regrouped after losing Seydou Keita to a red card for a 24th-minute foul as last man. The incident produced a penalty for the Bulgarians but Roman Besjak shot too close to Valencia keeper Diego Alves. Neither side finished with 11 men as Razgrad’s Juninho Quixadá was dismissed for retaliation ten minutes from time.
In the remaining ties, seven-time French champions Olympique Lyon breezed past Czech hopefuls Viktoria Plzen 4-1, while Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar beat Anzhi Makhachkala by the only goal of the game. The return legs are on 20 March.
