Italy once again stands at the heart of continental football, with Juventus and Roma anchored as the strongest Italian forces in Europe. Their continued success in the Europa League mirrors a broader pattern seen in the Champions League, where Italian clubs have consistently carved out a place among the elite and reached the later stages. The league’s legacy in European competition remains robust, reflecting a long-standing tradition of competitive Italian football on the continental stage.
Two storied managers lead the charge for Italy’s top contenders: Massimiliano Allegri and Jose Mourinho. Both are widely considered among the premier figures in European football, and their teams are positioned to challenge for the title in a tournament that will see its decisive rounds set this Friday. The quarterfinals, semifinals, and final draw will take place in Nyon at 1:00 pm, with the ultimate showdown scheduled for May 31 at the Puskás Arena in Budapest.
Seville, the six-time champion and the lone Spanish representative, could face a slate of formidable opponents, including Juventus or Roma, as well as Manchester United, Bayer Leverkusen, and Xabi Alonso’s side. Feyenoord from the Netherlands and Saint-Gilloise from Belgium also remain in contention, rounding out the lineup of survivors in the tournament. These matchups promise a wide array of strategic duels across Europe as teams jockey for a place in the last rounds.
The quarterfinals are scheduled for April 13 and 20, with the semifinals staged on May 11 and 18. The final, set for May 31, will be held at the Puskás Arena in Budapest, crowning the continent’s premier club competition. The structure ensures a dramatic pathway from the last eight to the final, with every tie offering high stakes and memorable football moments.
Conference League
In the Conference League, Belgian powerhouses lead the way with Gent and Anderlecht presenting a strong challenge. Villarreal, Fiorentina, and West Ham United remain among the standout clubs in the hunt for the title, highlighting a diverse field from across Europe. The Friday draw is expected to reveal the quarterfinals and semifinals, while the ultimate destination of the final is a prize worth pursuing for every participant.
The group of eight contenders for the continental crown includes Ghent, Anderlecht, Fiorentina, West Ham, Lech Poznań, Basel, AZ Alkmaar, and Lille. The host city for the final will be determined through the draw, which begins at 14:00 in Nyon. The stakes are high, and the path to glory will be laid bare as the draw assigns paths toward the last stages of the competition. The quarterfinals and semifinals are again scheduled for April 13 and 20, with semifinals on May 11 and 18.