One day after the Champions League it is also so far in the Europa League. For the first time, 18 games will be played on Thursday (from 9 p.m.).
Only the three teams Lazio Rome, Eintracht Frankfurt and Athletic Bilbao, who have already risen, can take the evening relaxed. Many others are still fighting for a fixed place in the top 8-or a place in the play-offs. A sequel to the Europa League is up to 24th place.
How is ex-storm coach Christian Ilzer with Hoffenheim?
With Hoffenheim, Ilzer is only in 28th place with six points. A victory in the away game in Brussels against Anderlecht is mandatory on the one hand. You also have to hope for other clubs. The climb is unlikely. The Hoffenheimers can soon concentrate on the relegation battle in the Bundesliga.
What is the top game of the evening?
The German Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt meets AS Rome in the capital of Italy. After a catastrophic start to the season, the Romans have been unbeaten for six games. The upswing of the past few weeks has a lot to do with the new trainer.
Claudio Ranieri, 73 years old and born in Romans, returned to his old club in mid -November – the third coach of this season. It is already fixed that Ranieri will finally retire at the end of the season: “It’s time to say Basta.”
In the Europa League, the top 8 are out of reach for the Romans. The German world champion from 2014 is Mats Hummels on the part of the AS Rome. The 36-year-old is now regularly in the starting line-up.
Three clubs from Istanbul play along. What about the Turkish top clubs?
While Galatasaray is fighting for the top 8, i.e. the direct climb, the other two Istanbul clubs Fenerbahçe and Besiktas only play for a play-off place. Galatasaray needs a victory against Ajax Amsterdam. Fenerbahçe plays against Midtjylland from Denmark, Besiktas against Twente Enschede (NED). Losing is prohibited for both clubs.
How are the two Austrians about Paok Saloniki?
For Stefan Schwab and Thomas Murg, things are going relatively well, with Paok Saloniki they are in the 17th place and are almost fixed in the play-off with ten points. Paok competes in San Sebastian against Real Sociedad (18th place).
The reigning Greek master plays against the Basque for the first time. Captain Stefan Schwab scored in the 2-0 on the last match day against Slavia Prague for the 1-0 lead in the 26th minute by penalty.
Where will Maccabi Tel Aviv actually play his home game against FC Porto?
Since Tel Aviv is known to be in Israel, the home game cannot be played there due to the Middle East conflict. Maccabi meets the previously disappointing traditional Portuguese association FC Porto in the Stadium of Partizan Belgrade in the Serbian capital Belgrade.
For Maccabi-currently only in 29th place-it is all about a mini chance that Porto would make the leap under the top 24 with a win.
What happens according to the league?
The play-offs for places 9 to 24 will be drawn on Friday. The first legs take place on February 13th, the second legs on February 20.
The international season is over for the losers of the play-off, there is no switch to Conference League. The winners continue in the round of 16 (March 6th and 13th) against the top 8. The final will take place on May 21st in Bilbao.