What to expect in Europe’s Quarter Finals
The race for European competition is always hotly contested, with clubs battling for a spot in the Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League. These European tournaments not only provide a platform for clubs to showcase their talent on an imposing stage but also offer significant financial rewards.
As the season reaches its apex, five clubs remain in European competitions, each carrying its own set of anxieties and ambitions. Whether it’s Manchester United, who desperately need the financial boost, or Aston Villa, who are striving to secure European football for next season, the stakes haven’t been greater.
With as many as eleven teams in the running for Europe next season, this competition is being heavily relied upon to assure European football.
In this blog, we break down the narratives which will be taken place in Quarter Finals
Manchester United
Manchester United only have one route back into the Champions League this season through the backdoor, by winning the Europa League. This now must be the priority, regardless of Ruben Amorim stating that it would not save their season.
While United results and performances in the Europa League have largely been mixed despite being the only side who remain undefeated in the competition. Amorim’s hopes of ending his first season with a trophy are still alive.
Following a thrilling win over Real Sociedad, featuring three penalties, a Bruno Fernandes hattrick, Heaven building on his impressive 45 minutes against Arsenal, amongst many other talking points.
Attention quickly turns to Olympique Lyonnais, Manchester United will face them on the 17th  April. This game is sandwiched in-between important fixtures against Manchester City and Newcastle United.
United fans will be familiar with some of Lyon’s key players, as their squad includes several former Premier League stars, including ex-Red Nemanja Matic. His presence could add an intriguing dynamic to the upcoming clash.
Although, United fans may not be aware of the off-field issues with Lyon this season, they have been handed a provisional relegation due to their €500million debt, which in turn may turn to a transfer ban, and, their manager Paulo Fonesca has been banned for 9 months for confronting a referee. All of which are being reflected with their inconsistencies in the league, that has left them in 5th at the time of writing.
ARSENAL
In recent years, Arsenal have enjoyed success in the Premier League under Mikel Arteta, consistently finishing in the top four. However, their struggles in the Champions League have been well-documented throughout their history. Currently, they sit 15 points behind league leaders Liverpool, making a title challenge unlikely. As a result, their focus may now shift towards the Champions League.
Arsenal has proved their defensively mettle throughout the Champions League and domestically, it is a crucial trait more suited to the knockout success. Hence why OPTA has given the Gunners 16.8% chance of Champions League success, only behind PSG, and Barcelona. However, overcoming European giants like Real Madrid will be the true test of the Arsenal calibre. Will also greatly impact their chances going forward with a successful two legs against the Spanish giants.
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With Saka likely to return after the international break it’ll be interesting to see whether the young Lion can be the one to change the balance of the game.
CHELSEA
Chelsea’s race for a top five finish remains extremely tight, with just five points separating five teams. Their inconsistency, coupled with Cole Palmer’s dip in form and the absence of Nicolas Jackson, adds to their challenges. Meanwhile, in-form teams like Aston Villa, Bournemouth, and Newcastle United are also competing for European spots.
With five of the current top 10 teams left to play, Chelsea’s path remains uncertain. A UEFA Conference League victory might be their best route to securing European football next season, though given their situation, they should remain cautiously optimistic especially as OPTA supercomputer predicts they sit on a cosy 51.1% chance of winning the tournament, with Fiorentina sitting second with 21.6%.
Although Chelsea’s last European night they required Cole Palmer to come on at half time to aid in seeing off a very spirited Copenhagen side. Until then Chelsea did not manage a single shot on target.
In the next round Chelsea will face Legia Warsaw, the most successful Polish club, having won 15 league titles, 20 polish cups, and five super cups since formation in 1916. The side will be a tougher prospect than Copenhagen with Legia wanting to be progress to make history as no Polish side has progress further than a quarter final in any European tournament.
 TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS
Tottenham are sailing in the same ship as United, the London side’s only way of attaining European football next season will be via winning the Europa League. Â
The campaign has not been aided with manager Ange Postecoglou boasting earlier this season that ‘he always’ wins trophies in his second season in charge. With the side merely enduring in Europe’s second tier competition, the Lilywhites will look to end their 16-year spell without a trophy and 63 years since the last European success.
The upcoming tie against the 2022 Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt, who over two legs in the previous round, the German outfit prevailed 6-2 on aggregate, winning the first leg in Amsterdam 2-1 before a dominant 4-1 display on Thursday evening in Frankfurt.
With the Frankfurt at home in the second leg you would fancy the chances of the Germans progressing especially with the effort of Hugo Etitike. Who since the absence of Marmoush, who has since joined Manchester City has been carrying the scoring burden. The French striker will be leading the line and with 24 G/A in 36 games is not anything to be scorned at. The Frenchman is an elegant player who is incredibly watchable, he will be a ‘one to watch’ with many Premier League suitors already lining up for his signature.
 ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa have returned to the Champions League for the first time since the 1983/84 season, marking a historic moment for the club under Unai Emery. Just two points off the top five in the Premier League, Villa are thriving under a manager with an unrivalled Europa League pedigree.
Emery has won the competition a record four times. Whether the Spaniard can replicate his European success in the Champions League remains to be seen.
As it stands though the Villans are living the dream, with the side set to face PSG, there’s plenty of narratives that will be played out
For Emery, it is the opportunity to face his former side, which he had mixed results whilst in charge at PSG. Whilst taking Villa’s dream run deeper into the tournament.
Which will be at the delight of both Ex-Chippenham Town centre back Tyrone Mings, and Ex-Exeter City striker Ollie Watkins both making their way from the bottom of the English professional pyramid to facing the European Elites.
Together with PSG loanee Marcos Asensio which has found form since becoming a Villan, only PSG’s Ousmane Dembele has scored more goals in Europe’s top five leagues across all competitions than Asensio made his Debut for Villa last month (Demble’s eight to Asensio’s seven)
Their recent triumph in Bruges was Villa’s first UEFA competition victory against Belgian opposition since 1982, when they defeated Anderlecht en-route to their historic European Cup win. Paired with their 1-0 win against Bayern Munich which mirrored the scoreline from May 26th, 1982. Many aspects of this European campaign evoke memories of that legendary 1982 run. Conjuring the hopes of romantics who will want to see the Villans go ahead replicate the famous 82’ win.
