5️⃣ things to look out for in Thursday's European action | OneFootball

With the Champions League quarter-final line-up now settled, attention turns to the Europa and Conference League action on Thursday.

Here are five things to watch out for across both competitions.

Betting on Cheltenham this week? Find everything you need to bet on Cheltenham Festival here!

No way back

Not since the Europa League was known as the UEFA Cup in 1985/86 has a team overturned a four-goal first leg deficit in the knockout stages to reach the next round.

On that occasion, Real Madrid defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach 4-0 on home turf after a 5-1 first leg loss – enough to squeeze through in stunning fashion thanks to the away goals rule.

In fact, that is one of just five occasions in the history of UEFA men’s club competition (encompassing three tournaments and almost 70 years) in which such a turnaround has been achieved.

So with Liverpool, Roma and Marseille all boasting four-goal advantages heading into tonight’s games, it is almost impossible not to look at that trio as being through already.

Villa welcome Euro giants

Aston Villa’s home form for so long under Unai Emery was exceptional but Sunday’s 4-0 loss to Tottenham was the latest sign of decline at that once impregnable fortress.

But they have a perfect chance to right those wrongs by claiming the scalp of one of the continent’s most prestigious clubs as Ajax arrive following a nail-biting scoreless stalemate in Amsterdam last week.

The feistiness and late red cards for both sides may also leave a little extra spice lingering for both sides.

It was already appointment viewing but as one of only two Conference League clashes which is level at the halfway point, it is all the more exciting.

Wonderkid to inspire Leverkusen

It seems almost strange to continue to tag Florian Wirtz with the wonderkid moniker, so long has he impressed at the top level now.

But the Leverkusen playmaker still doesn’t turn 21 until later this year and after they needed a late comeback to avoid a shock loss against Qarabag in the first leg (fighting back to draw 2-2), Wirtz will be ready to lead them past any similar surprises this time.

Only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Romelu Lukaku have been directly involved in more goals in this season’s competition than the German, who has seven thanks to three goals and four assists.

It is his best such season in the Europa League and when he is in full, dazzling flow he is a joy to watch and it isn’t unreasonable to expect him to add to that tally.

A sizzling sleeper tie

With so many prestigious clubs in action, it seems that Atalanta’s meeting with Sporting CP is flying largely under the radar.

It perhaps wasn’t helped by the first leg being moved to last Wednesday and thus clashing with Champions League action due to scheduling conflicts in Lisbon but those who did keep out, will have been entertained by the 1-1 draw they played out there.

La Dea captured the hearts of many neutrals with their performances both in Italy and in Europe in recent years, while in Viktor Gyökeres, Sporting boast one of the hottest striking talents who will again be in demand this summer.

It is the sixth European meeting between the clubs and Atalanta remain unbeaten until now, although Sporting are on the longest unbeaten run in continental competition in their history (seven games). This is poised perfectly – get the popcorn ready.

Rangers to cause more headaches?

It is perhaps a sign of either confidence in their recent European exploits or simply smart contingency planning that reports emerged this week of UEFA’s concern over Rangers reaching the UEL final in Dublin.

Particularly if they were to join another side who would be making a very short trip to get there in Liverpool, there is worry from the European governing body about how they would handle such an occasion and the influx of supporters.

Aiming to help alleviate that anxiety on their behalf are Benfica, who travel to Glasgow after an exciting 2-2 draw at home in which they fought back twice from going behind to leave the tie delicately poised.

Benfica had the better of that one overall, particularly in the second half, but in Europe, they will underestimate the Scottish side at their peril.