UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE QUARTERFINALS: THRILLERS AND UPSETS IN FIRST LEG CLASHES
Written by Neo Molefi on April 12, 2024
Written by: Floyd Nkanyane
Benfica Edge Marseille in Entertaining Tie
Benfica took a slender 2-1 lead against Marseille in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie. Rafa Silva and Angel Di Maria scored for the Portuguese hosts, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pulled one back for Marseille to keep the tie alive ahead of the second leg.
Nightmare at Anfield
In a massive upset, Atalanta stunned Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield in the first leg of their quarter-final clash. Jurgen Klopp’s side, who will bid farewell to their long-serving manager at the end of the season, face an uphill task to overturn the deficit and keep their hopes of reaching the Europa League final alive.
Late Glory for Leverkusen Against West Ham
Bayer Leverkusen scored two late goals to secure a 2-0 victory over West Ham United in the first leg of their quarter-final tie. Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface were the scorers for the German side, leaving David Moyes’ men with a mountain to climb in the second leg.
Diavollo Redeemed by the Romans in Italian Derby
AS Roma took a 1-0 lead against AC Milan in the first leg of their all-Italian Europa League quarter-final clash. Gianluca Mancini’s early goal proved to be the difference as Milan struggled to find their usual fluency, leaving Stefano Pioli’s side with work to do in the return leg.
The second legs of these quarter-final ties promise to be thrilling encounters as teams’ battle for a place in the Europa League semi-finals.
UEFA Europa League Quarter-Final 1st leg results:
AC Milan 0 – 1 AS Roma
Liverpool 0 – 3 Atalanta
Bayern Leverkusen 2 – 0 West Ham United
SL Benfica 2 – 1 Olympique de Marseille
