The 2022/23 Europa League round of 16 draw was made in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday, 24th February 2023. The unseeded eight qualified teams from the playoffs were paired against the eight group winners which were seeded. The seeded sides will play the return legs at home. The first leg of the games will be held on Thursday, 9th March with the second leg scheduled a week later on 16th March 2023.
Union Berlin vs Union Saint-Gilloise
Having a fairytale run in their league as well as in Europe, Union Berlin will fight against Union Saint-Gilloise for the third time in the Europa League this season. The two earlier met in the competition at the group stages with the Belgian side topping it. The Bundesliga club put in a historical performance against Dutch giants Ajax in the second leg in front of their home support to reach this stage of the competition.
Sevilla vs Fenerbahce
Withstanding a late comeback from PSV Eindhoven in the second leg of the playoffs, record-champions Sevilla will take on Turkish side Fenerbache in the last 16 stage of the Europa League. This will be the first meeting between the sides in this competition having previously met in the Champions League in 2008.
Juventus vs Freiburg
Riding on an Angel Di Maria masterclass over Nantes in the playoffs, Juventus will aim to win the competition as their only probable route back to the Champions League. However, in-run for the Bundesliga title, SC Freiburg will be a difficult customer as they want to leave their mark in their first meet in Europe.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Ferencvaros
Bayer Leverkusen will try to fend off Hungarian side Ferencvaros’s challenge in the last 16 to enter the quarter final stage of the Europa League. The sides are meeting for the second season running in the competition. Xabi Alonso’s men played an absolute thriller over two legs with Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco and progressed only through penalties after the tie was locked 5-5 on aggregate.
Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal
Current Premier League leaders Arsenal will take on Sporting CP in a repeat of the 2018 meeting in the group stage of that season’s Europa League. The Gunners have not lost any clashes with the Portuguese giants with the last one ending in goalless. Mikel Arteta’s men will try to win this trophy in addition to their domestic run to replace their memory of losing to rivals Chelsea in the 2019 final.
Manchester United vs Real Betis
Another opposition from Spain to get past through for Manchester United as they lock horns with Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis side in the last 16 stage. Erik ten Hag’s men slew La Liga leaders FC Barcelona with a comeback win against them in the second leg, 4-3 on aggregate, to make it to this stage. Betis topped their group over AS Roma to take a direct berth.
Roma vs Real Sociedad
Europa Conference League holders AS Roma are wishing to lift the Europa League trophy now but they face a sturdy Real Sociedad team in the round of 16. Roma made a turnaround from the 1-0 deficit in the first leg to win 2-0 in the second leg to eliminate Austrian champions FC Salzburg in the playoffs whereas Real Sociedad topped their group ahead of Manchester United to directly qualify for this stage.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Feyenoord
Ukrainian flag-bearers Shakhtar Donetsk will take on Eredivisie table-toppers Feyenoord for an exciting clash in the last 16. The Miners lost their aggregate lead to Stade Rennes but managed to beat the French side in a nail-biting shootout to qualify. On the other hand, the two-time UEFA Cup winners finished first in their group by virtue of scoring the most number of goals after all the teams ended on equal points. Even their goal difference was the same as second-placed Midtjylland in six matches.
Also Read | Best Europa League Semi Final Moments
Fixtures
Thursday 9 March 2023
Union Berlin vs Union Saint-Gilloise - Alte Forsterei, Berlin (23:15)
Bayer Leverkusen vs Ferencvaros - BayArena, Leverkusen (23:15)
Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal - Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon (23:15)
AS Roma vs Real Sociedad - Stadio Olimpico, Rome (23:15)
Friday 10 March 2023
Sevilla vs Fenerbahce - Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, Seville (01:30)
Juventus vs Freiburg - Allianz Stadium, Turin (01:30)
Manchester United vs Real Betis - Old Trafford, Manchester (01:30)
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Feyenoord - Municipal Stadium, Warshaw (01:30)
Thursday 16 March 2023
Fenerbahce vs Sevilla - Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Istanbul (23:15)
Freiburg vs Juventus - Stadion am Wolfswinkel, Freiburg (23:15)
Real Betis vs Manchester United - Estadio Benito Villamarín, Seville (23:15)
Feyenoord vs Shakhtar Donetsk - De Kuip, Rotterdam (23:15)
Friday 17 March 2023
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Union Berlin - Anderlecht Stadium, Brussels (01:30)
Ferencvaros vs Bayer Leverkusen - Puskas Arena, Budapest (01:30)
Arsenal vs Sporting Lisbon - Emirates Stadium, London (01:30)
Real Sociedad vs AS Roma - Reala Stadium, San Sebastian (01:30)
Note: All timings are in Indian Standard Time (IST)
