POTENTIAL UEL OPPONENTS FOR MILAN, ROMA AND ATALANTA RATED

February 23rd, 2024 Europa League comments

FROM LIVERPOOL AND BAYER TO WEST HAM AND BENFICA: POTENTIAL UEL OPPONENTS FOR MILAN, ROMA AND ATALANTA RATED

La Gazzetta dello Sport notes that Milan and Roma ‘must avoid Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen’ in the Europa League Round of 16 draw, while Benfica, Sporting CP and Marseille are among the trickiest opponents for Atalanta.

The Europa League Round of 16 draw takes place in Nyon today, Friday, February 23 at 11:00 GMT.

Milan and Roma have qualified through the knockout playoff, while Atalanta won their group, so they got direct access to the Round of 16. Unlike Milan and Roma, La Dea are among the seeded teams, so they may face easier opponents, at least on paper. Clubs from the same federation can’t meet in the Round of 16, so there won’t be an Italian derby.

Friday’s printed edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport on page 12 rated potential opponents for Serie A clubs in today’s Europa League Round of 16 draw.

According to the pink paper, Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen are the most challenging opponents for Roma and Milan. The Reds are Premier League leaders, while Xabi Alonso’s side are top of the Bundesliga.

They are followed by Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton, Villarreal, Slavia Prague and Rangers.

As for Atalanta, Benfica are the most difficult opponent on paper, followed by Marseille who eliminated Shakhtar from the knockout playoff after hiring to replace Gennaro Gattuso.

Atalanta could also meet Sporting CP again after securing one win and now draw during the group phase.