UEFA Europa League: Cottage Comeback

FULHAM 4-1 JUVENTUS (5-4 agg.)

Fulham will play in the Quarter-Finals of the UEFA Europa League after a remarkable comeback against Italian giants Juventus. After a 3-1 defeat in Turin, it was always going to be tricky for the West London side, and their chances were dealt a further blow when David Trezeguet scored early on (2′), but strikes from Bobby Zamora (9′) and Zoltan Gera (39′), coupled with a red card for Fabio Cannavaro, gave the Cottagers real hope going into the second half. A penalty from Gera (49′) and a superb lob from Clint Dempsey (83′) completed one of the most memorable nights in Fulham’s 131-year history. Later that night, Liverpool also turned a defecit, winning against Lille 3-0 (3-1 agg.), with Gerrard (penalty) and Torres (twice) scoring the goals.

The Quarter-Final draw came the following day, with the potential paths to the final plotted in both the Champions League and the Europa League. In UEFA’s flagship club competition, attractive football seems to be the theme of the biggest game, as Arsenal play holders Barcelona. Elsewhere, Manchester United and Bayern Munich will play like it’s 1999, Bordeaux face Lyon to ensure the presence of a French Semi-Finalist, and Inter Milan take on CSKA Moscow.

In the Europa League, Fulham will play German champions Wolfsburg, Liverpool will play another club with strong European history, Benfica, for the first time since 2006, with the winners facing either Valencia or Atletico Madrid, and final hosts Hamburg face the challenge of Standard Liege.

UEFA Champions League: Quarter-Final Draw (First Leg shown):
Lyon v Bordeaux
Bayern Munich v Manchester United
Arsenal v Barcelona
Inter Milan v CSKA Moscow

Semi-Final Draw:
Winners of Game 2 v Winners of Game 1
Winners of Game 4 v Winners of Game 3

UEFA Europa League: Quarter-Final Draw:
Fulham v Wolfsburg
Hamburg v Standard Liege
Valencia v Atletico Madrid
Benfica v Liverpool

Semi-Final Draw:
Winners of Game 2 v Winners of Game 1
Winners of Game 3 v Winners of Game 4