Bayer Leverkusen faces Qarabag with all to play for

Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen has been exceptional, boasting a 10-point lead in the Bundesliga and maintaining an unbeaten streak across all competitions, including their European journey.

The German side snatched a late draw in Baku on March 7, thanks to a stoppage-time header from Czech forward Patrik Schick, setting the stage for an evenly matched second leg at the BayArena in Leverkusen. The upcoming clash, kicking off at 20:00 GMT, promises high stakes and intense competition.

Other teams like Olympique Marseille, Roma, and Liverpool have nearly secured their spots in the quarterfinals after securing significant victories in their first-leg matches. Marseille overcame Villarreal with a 4-0 win in France, Roma defeated Brighton 4-0 in Rome, and Liverpool triumphed over Sparta Prague with a 5-1 victory in the Czech Republic.

The Rangers and Benfica will also reconvene for a crucial match on Thursday, following a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Lisbon, where an own goal by English defender Connor Goldson thwarted a Scottish victory in Portugal.

The draw for the 2023-24 Europa League quarterfinals is eagerly anticipated this Friday, setting the path for the remaining contenders.

Thursday’s Europa League Fixtures:

Villarreal vs. Marseille (0-4)

Rangers vs. Benfica (2-2)

West Ham United vs. Freiburg (0-1)

Slavia Prague vs. AC Milan (2-4)

Brighton vs. Roma (0-4)

Bayer Leverkusen vs. Qarabag (2-2)

Atalanta vs. Sporting (1-1)

Liverpool vs. Sparta Prague (5-1)