As our
UEFA Europa League Round of 32 preview continues, there are a number of teams attempting to overturn first-leg defeats away from home while others are simply looking to put the icing on the cake on what has been a stellar showing so far.
Selected Europa League fixtures:
Thursday, February 22
nd
Braga (0) vs (3) Marseille
Salzburg (2) vs (2) Sociedad
Atalanta (2) vs (3) Dortmund
Arsenal (3) vs (0) Ostersunds
All games expected to kick-off at 20:05 (8:05 pm) GMT
Braga (0) vs (3) Marseille
Estadio Municipal, Braga
Free-scoring Marseille extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches in all competitions, which has seen them reach the quarter-finals of the French Cup as well as establish an almost unassailable lead over their Portuguese counterparts in their bid to progress in Europe too. Braga responded to that 3-0 defeat a week ago in fine fashion by claiming a 5-0 victory away from home over 10-man Vitoria. The Archbishops as they are fondly known, beat the Phocians 3-2 in a thrilling encounter the last time they welcomed them to their iconic stadium, when the pair were drawn together in the group stages of the competition two years ago.
Red Bull Salzburg (2) vs (2) Real Sociedad
Red Bull Arena, Salzburg
Die Roten Bullen’s chances of progressing to the last 16 for the first time in four years hangs in the balance. They came away from San Sebastian without the victory but with two vital away goals under their belt as the Austrian Premier League leaders take aim once more at a struggling Sociedad side who have managed just three wins from their last 15 matches in all competitions. Former Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj thought he had given his side the advantage with his 84
th minute strike last week, only for Takumi Minamino to snatch a late equaliser for the visitors.
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Atalanta (2) vs (3) Borussia Dortmund
Stadio Atleti Azzurri, Bergamo
Atalanta’s first-ever competitive encounter against German giants Borussia Dortmund was a topsy-turvy affair that swung back and forth throughout with the lead exchanging hands on multiple occasions until on-loan striker Michy Batshuayi stole the show when his stoppage-time winner completed his brace and sealed the victory for the hosts. La Dea have registered just one win from their previous five matches in all competitions and their form at their home fortress now looks under siege against The Black and Yellow who are on a four-game winning run, with just one defeat, to Bayern Munich, in their last 10 in all competitions.
Arsenal (3) vs (0) Ostersunds
The Emirates Stadium, London
As the Gunners get set for the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City on Sunday, Arsene Wenger looks set to unleash an array of young talent against Swedish side Osersunds on Thursday after their comprehensive 3-0 victory in freezing Scandinavia all but sealed their place in the next round. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remains unavailable after being cup-tied due to former club Dortmund’s involvement in the competition which means 18-year-old Eddie Nketiah, who has two goals in seven appearances already this season, is likely to lead the line in front of his home crowd.
