Granada, the great revelation of the UEFA Europa League 2020/21 during its debut in continental competition, faces a very demanding challenge in the quarter-finals, combined with the all-powerful Manchester United, according to the draw at the headquarters of the UEFA was held. in Nyon (Switzerland).
The final draw in the current format in this match, with Frenchman Gael Clichy as the ‘innocent hand’, was hugely demanding for Diego Martínez’s team and on paper much more benevolent for the other Spanish survivor, Villarreal, who will take it up. . Dinamo Zagreb, which nevertheless came from Tottenham after returning from 2-0, got in the first leg.
The Nasrid team has a top-level test in the team of Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is moving towards more and with a goal from Paul Pogba, he eliminated Milan from San Siro.
In the round of 32, he already put an end to Real Sociedad’s dream with solvency after winning the first leg in Turin 0-4.
Every step this Granada takes is historical. He competed in the second qualifying round in Albania, raising the bar every match. He announces competing without complexes, whatever rival he is, even if it is United.
Villarreal, a plethora of European competition – six consecutive wins – will see them with the team that sacked Tottenham from Jose Mourinho, Gareth Bale, Harry Kane and competed, although it is Unai Emery’s Yellow Submarine, three-time champion of this tournament, Sevilla, with the favorite poster.
Mislav Orsic’s hat-trick put an end to Spurs after extra time and the moral impact may strengthen him against Villarreal, who cannot be trusted despite the good performance of Emery’s men in the group stage and against Salzburg and Dinamo Kiev. When they return, they also get the La Cerámica factor.
According to the draw, if the two Spanish teams make progress, they could meet in the final on May 26 at the Gdansk Arena. So are the two teams with the most potential a priori, United and Arsenal.
Despite losing the second leg to Olympiacos at home (0-1), Mikel Arteta’s Gunners will also defend their favorites status against Slavia Prague in the quarter-finals, another revelation that left Rangers on the account with Ibrox, where he 0- won. 2 ends up in a bitter and controversial game.
The other draw will take on Ajax and Roma, who have high expectations of the main players in this Europa League.
Quarter-finals (April 8 and 15):
1 Granada (ESP) – Manchester United (ING)
2 Arsenal (ING) – Slavia Praga (CZE)
3 Ajax (NED) – Roma (ITA)
4 Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) – Villarreal (ESP)
– Semi-finals (April 29 and May 6)
1 Winner Granada-Manchester Utd / Winner Ajax-Roma
2 Winner Dinamo Zagreb-Villarreal / Winner Arsenal-Slavia Prague
– Final (May 26, Gdansk Arena):
Semifinal 2 Winner – Semifinal 1 Winner