By Yossi Medina and Eden Roitfarb
The Europa Conference League has proven in the past that being a favourite has no meaning.
The first leg of the quarter-finals ended close, with not a single game being decided by more than one goal. Here is all the action from the last matchday.
Could end the story in the first leg, but instead they are heading to a thrilling quest in Istambul. Kostantinous Fortounis celebrated Olympiacos’ early lead. (Photo courtesy: Olympiacos official website)
Madness in the Karaiskakis
In every Conference League season, it seems we get a different candidate for the competition’s ‘Drama Kings’.
One of the strong candidates for the crown this year is Olympiakos, even though they only joined the competition in February.
After the incredible comeback in the round of 16 vs Maccabi Tel Aviv, winning 6-1 away from home after losing 4-1 in Greece, today they welcomed Fenerbahce for a truly Mediterranean clash.
The Greeks came out firing from the get go, making it 3-0 after an hour - mainly thanks to some poor defending from Fenerbahce, who seemed to lack focus after this week’s drama in the Turkish Super Cup.
But as we know, big leads are not safe when you contend for the ‘Drama Kings’ throne.
Fenerbahce woke up and decided they also wanted to participate in another great European Thursday night, and clawed back two goals within six minutes.
It ended 3-2 to Olympiakos on the night, and there’s still lots to play for next week in Istanbul.
🏴 Aston Villa have won all six European home games this season 🏡#UECL || @AVFCOfficial pic.twitter.com/vHJa5TBptL
— UEFA Europa Conference League (@europacnfleague) April 12, 2024
Favourites clash
Aston Villa hosted Lille in a match where both teams could be considered title contenders.
In the 1000th game of his career, manager Unai Emery wished to take one step towards another European title - and that journey began with another goal from prolific goalscorer, Ollie Watkins.
During the second half, Aston Villa converted their dominance into another goal. John McGinn, who assisted the first, was now the one to score.
Drama is a part of the Conference League heritage, however, and Lille proved it with a late goal from Bafodé Diakité, just five minutes from time.
In order to complete their task, Aston Villa will need to overcome the challenge of playing at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, but Emery never says no to a challenge.
Yet another knockout 0-0 for Viktoria Plzen
For the third time in a row, Conference League fans were treated to a scoreless draw involving Czech side Viktoria Plzen.
In the previous round, they only beat Servette on penalties, and today Fiorentina couldn’t break the deadlock.
It was a relatively cagey game, that saw both teams cancel out each other.
Both sides can look at the bright side, however, with La Viola able to go home and decide the tie in their comfort zone.
And the Czechs, meanwhile, have now played a remarkable seven straight Conference League games without conceding - and are still undefeated in the 2023-24 edition of the competition.
The Belgian tradition
Belgian sides have made the Europa Conference League their own over the years.
After Gent reached the quarter-finals last year, Club Brugge hope to make it all the way to the semis.
All they have to do is beat PAOK, who qualified after a shocking performance against Dinamo Zagreb in the round of 16.
Only one goal was scored in this match - Hugo Vetlesen netting in the 6th minute for Brugge.
They had a chance to double their score in the 78th minute, but Igor Thiago missed a penalty.
With another match ending in a one-goal lead, expect surprises in the second legs.
Yesterday's @europacnfleague quarter-final results pic.twitter.com/UZeaBRcBfa
— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) April 12, 2024
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Aston Villa saw off Lille, while Olympiakos got Fenerbahçe in trouble. Yossi Medina and Eden Roitfarb recapped all the Conference League quarter-final first-leg action.
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