Introduction
Europa League is back in action with a lot of enthusiasm due to the QF’s 1st leg starting from Friday 9th April. Eight teams battling it out for their place in the Semi-Finals and to achieve their sheer dominance on the title. Here, we bring you two eccentric games of this Matchday, where the Lancers face the Giallorossi and Arsenal facing the Czech Champions.
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1. Ajax vs Roma
Introduction
After being 3rd in their Champions League group, Ajax is in desperate need to win the Europa title. They faced LOSC Lille in Europa League RO32 and won the tie 4-2 and dominated the Young Boys 5-0 on aggregate in RO16. The Dutch Champions are cruising in the Eredivisie, but they need to focus their minds on this game.
Ajax :- WWWWW
On the other hand, Roma will look to find their groove in this game after an uncertain Serie A performance. They won their ties against Braga and Shakhtar with the same aggregate of 5-1 in UEL RO32 and RO16 respectively.
Roma :- WLWLD
Their last meet was in the Champions League 2002-03 Group Stage, where Ajax won 2-1 and home and drew 1-1 away. Ajax has been winless against the Italian opposition at home since defeating Roma in 2002. They will look forward to reaching the semi-final for the 3rd time in the last 5 European Campaigns. Roma’s last QF win came in UEFA Champions League where they won the tie against FC Barcelona on away goals. They might see this game to seal their chances in the UEFA Cup Semi-Final.
Head to Head
Played :- 2
Ajax :- 1
Roma :- 0
Draw :- 1
Team News
Erik Ten Hag said to the press that they will look to win every game from here and won’t look at the unbeaten run. If continues it might be a boost, he added. But he was concerned about Roma’s attack on the day. Fonseca’s concerns about his defense were seen in the Press conference as he expects a balanced tie.
Roma has concerns over Kluivert whether he will stay at RB Leipzig or come back to Roma. Also, rumors about Maurizio Sarri becoming their replacement for Fonseca is quite troublesome. Ajax midfielder Ryan Gravenbach is linked with big clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool for Summer Signings.
Player to watch
Ajax
For Ajax, Dusan Tadic will be a game-changer from the start. When it comes to making plays and striking the ball, no one is better at it in the team. He has helped his team win matches, scoring 3 goals and an assist in the Europa League Campaign. The Key Man for Ajax and maybe the key man of the game.
Roma
Edin Dzeko will be the player to watch out for due to his accuracy and patience in handling the 1v1’s, his experience might help the team to reach the possibilities. He has helped Roma over the years and this season has been the same for him. Scoring 3 goals and an assist in this campaign, he is the key player for Roma for this overall tie.
Predicted Line-up
Ajax
Formation – 4-2-3-1
GK- Scherpen
Defence- Timber Schuurs Martinez Tagliafico
CDM- Gravenbach Rensch
Attack- Neres Campos Klasseen Tadic
Forward- Haller
Roma
Formation- 3-4-2-1
GK- Paul Lopez
Defence- Mancini Cristiane Ibanez
Midfield- Spinazolla El Sharaawy Veretout Peres
Attack- Pellegrini Pedro
Forward- Dzeko
2. Arsenal vs Slavia
Introduction
Arsenal is looking forward to winning their first European League Title (UEL) and will look forwards to win this tie against Slavia Prague. Gunners, who have a very unsteady league campaign, don’t have much of a steady campaign in Europe. They have won 4-3 against Benfica in Europa League RO32 and 3-2 against Olympiakos in RO16.
Arsenal :- WWLDL
Slavia Prague has won 2-0 against Leicester in RO32 of UEL tie and 3-1 against Rangers in RO16. Prague has a consistent league performance in Fortuna Liga but will be a passion to fight for the UEFA Cup.
Slavia Prague :- DWWWD
Arsenal has been unbeaten against the Czech opposition scoring 22 times while conceding twice in that matches. Slavia will face their 3rd British opponent in the knockout stage after winning against Leicester and Rangers in RO32 and RO16 respectively. The last time they face each other was in the Champions League where Arsenal won their Home game 7-0 while drawing 0-0 away. Arsenal will play their 16 Quarter Final in the major European Competitions, progressing in 9 of their 15 quarterfinals. Slavia will look to continue their winning ways whereas Arsenal will try their best football possible. This is till the match to watch out for many people around there.
Head to Head
Played :- 2
Arsenal :- 1
Slavia Prague:- 0
Draw :- 1
Team News
David Luiz has undergone surgery on his right knee, he will be out for some weeks. Saka failed his Fitness test with a thigh injury and Xhaka due to illness. Simon Deli and David Hovorka are out as the Centre-Backs are in question for Prague as Abdillah Sima is available despite the domestic ban. First-Choice Keeper Ondrej Kolar is questioned about a sinus fracture against Rangers, so 18-year-old Matyas Vagner is about to start due to circumstances.
Player to watch
Arsenal
Gunners have a Ray of hope from their player, but their key player for the game is gonna be Martin Odegaard. This Real Madrid loanee has proved to very passionately playing for this club and might make plays for the forwards to score some good amount for goals. Scoring a goal, he has given some quality display of his playmaking.
Slavia Prague
For Prague it has to be Nicholas Stanciu, His name on the score sheet might help the Czech Champions to get an edge over the home team. He has scored 3 goals and gave 3 assists so far in this tournament. MVP for Slavia and hope so the MVP of the game.
Predicted Line-up
Arsenal
Formation – 4-2-3-1
GK- Leno
Defence- Tierney Magalhăes Holding Bellerin
CDM- Ceballos Thomas
Attack- Martinelli Odegaard Aubameyang
Forward- Lacazette
Slavia Prague
Formation – 4-1-4-1
GK- Vagner
Defence- Masopust Zima Kacharaba Hartmann Bah
CDM- Holes
Attack- Oladeji Provod Hromada van Bure
Forward-Stanciu
Conclusions
UEFA Europa League has given us many seat grasping matches and will continue to do so. These two matches are gonna be, in our opinion, the most goal-scoring football entertainment and might hope for many amazing defensive plays and some screamers. European Campaigns are known for their shocking, yet amazing results. Amid COVID restrictions we might see some good and fair football and enjoy this beautiful game.
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