Liverpool will play Serie A side Atalanta in the Europa League quarter-finals while Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen take on West Ham United after the draw was held at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon on Friday.
Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool are on the hunt for another trophy before the manager leaves at the end of the season, and could be on course to face Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen in the final.
Alonso, a former Liverpool midfielder, is one of the men tipped to replace Klopp at Anfield.
Liverpool previously faced Atalanta in the group stage of the 2020-21 Champions League, losing 2-0 at home but enjoying a 5-0 victory in Italy.
“Tricky, Atalanta, we played them, it’s not like I watched them 500 times since then, but still the same manager, similar structure, so it means uncomfortable to play against, very well organised,” Klopp told a press conference on Friday.
“But it’s quarter-finals, I didn’t expect, with all the teams involved, any easy opponent.”
AC Milan are looking to win the trophy for the first time and they will face last season’s beaten finalists AS Roma in an all-Italian clash.
Milan are second in Serie A, 16 points behind Inter Milan, while Roma are down in fifth, but they are a rejuvenated side since Daniele De Rossi replaced Jose Mourinho, with six wins in eight league games.
Benfica were drawn against French side Olympique de Marseille, and both clubs have reached the final of the competition three times. The winners of that quarter-final will face either Liverpool or Atalanta in the semis.
The other semi-final will see an Italian side, Milan or Roma, come up against Bayer Leverkusen or West Ham.
West Ham won last season’s Conference League and reached the semi-final of the Europa League in 2022, but they face a tough task against Leverkusen. The German side are unbeaten across 37 games in all competitions this season.
Leverkusen, 10 points clear in the Bundesliga, kept their unbeaten run going and scraped through to the quarter-finals on Thursday when they came from 2-0 down to beat Qarabag 3-2, ensuring a 5-4 aggregate win.
The Europa League final will be held on May 22 at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
In the Europa Conference League, Aston Villa will face Lille, currently fourth in Ligue 1, in the quarter-finals.
The winner of that tie will meet the victor between Olympiacos and Fenerbahce in the semi-final.
Last year’s finalists Fiorentina take on Czech side Viktoria Plzen while Club Brugge play PAOK of Greece in the other quarter-final.
QUARTER-FINALS
Quarter final 1: AC Milan v AS Roma
Quarter final 2: Liverpool v Atalanta
Quarter final 3: Bayer Leverkusen v West Ham United
Quarter final 4: Benfica v Olympique de Marseille
First legs: April 11
Second legs: April 18
SEMI-FINAL DRAW
Semi-final 1: Benfica/Marseille v Liverpool/Atalanta
Semi-final 2: AC Milan/Roma v Bayer Leverkusen/West Ham
Rio Ferdinand may be done with UK living, for now.
The former Manchester United star, 47, has listed his seven-bedroom Kent mansion for £10.5 million (Dh52 million), hinting his move to Dubai is permanent.
Set in the exclusive Farnborough Park estate, the 12,500 sq ft home features landscaped grounds, a private gym, grand reception spaces, and a luxury master suite with dual dressing rooms. He bought it in 2008 for around £2.7 million, meaning a potential £8 million profit, though tax could apply depending on residency status.
Ferdinand moved to Dubai last year with his wife Kate and their children. They are now living in a luxury villa in Al Barari.
He has been candid about the move, citing more family time, an improved lifestyle, and the appeal of a fresh start. “The lifestyle, safety and weather, it just works for us,” Ferdinand said in the report.
He’s not alone. Vincent Kompany is also reportedly selling his UK home, as more football names rethink where they’re based.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has alerted motorists to expected traffic delays on key roads on Wednesday, April 22, due to the AFC Champions League 2 match taking place at Al Wasl Club.
The fixture between Qatar’s Al Ahli and Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia is part of the ongoing AFC Champions League 2, Asia’s second-tier continental competition, which has been drawing strong crowds across the region. Matches at this stage of the tournament typically attract large numbers of fans, especially when hosted in major cities like Dubai, leading to increased traffic around stadium zones.
Authorities expect congestion on roads leading to and around the stadium, particularly during pre-match and post-match hours, as supporters head to watch the game live.
Motorists are advised to plan their journeys, allow extra travel time, and consider alternative routes to avoid delays.
To help ease congestion, the RTA confirmed that additional parking spaces will be available behind the stadium, offering more options for those attending the match.
The advisory is part of ongoing efforts to manage traffic during major sporting events and ensure a smooth and comfortable travel experience for residents and visitors across Dubai.
If you’re driving around Abu Dhabi this weekend, you might want to plan, because several key roads are set to close.
The Run for the Nation 5km race is taking over Wahat Al Karama this Saturday, bringing together the community for a morning of fitness and fun.
But it also means temporary traffic disruptions you should know about.
Here’s what’s happening Organised by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in partnership with the Zayed Charity Run, the event kicks off at 8am, and it’s completely free to join.
To keep runners safe, road closures will be in place from 5am to 10am around the area. There are additional lane closures on E20 due to ongoing infrastructure works:
• Right lane towards Abu Dhabi closed from April 17 (2pm)- April 20 (5am) • Entry & exit from Al Fursan Street closed from April 18-April 19
Expect delays around Al Fursan Street and Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street (E20).
What should motorists do • Leave earlier than usual • Follow diversion signs • Avoid the area if possible during peak hours
While traffic may slow things down, the event is all about community, fitness, and bringing people together, a big win for Abu Dhabi’s active lifestyle push.
So whether you’re running or just commuting, be ready, plan smart, and stay moving.
