Bayer Leverkusen and Villarreal were drawn against each other for the last 16 of the Europa League Friday, meaning Mexico stars Javier “Chicharito” Hernández (Bayer Leverkusen) and Jonathan dos Santos (Villarreal) will line up against each other in the soccer competition.
Manchester United and Liverpool, English football’s two most decorated clubs, were drawn together in the tie of the round. The rivalry between the two teams dates back to the 19th century, but they will compete in European competition for the first time.
The arch-rivals have won 38 league titles between them as well as eight European Cups, yet both are struggling in the Premier League this season and are unlikely to relish being pitted against each other at this stage of the competition.
Great Europa League draw for LFC, if we win happy days if we lose LVG will probably stay!!
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) February 26, 2016
Friday’s Europa League draw produced other mouthwatering ties.
Bookmakers’ favourites Borussia Dortmund were handed a tricky route into the last eight against Tottenham Hotspur, second in the Premier League behind Leicester City.
Holders Sevilla, chasing a third successive title, will play Basel, while Valencia, who have enjoyed a recent resurgence by winning their last four games under English coach Gary Neville, face an all-Spanish tie against Athletic Bilbao.
Liverpool and United first played each other more than 120 years ago, but they have never faced off in European competition, adding an extra dimension to what past experience suggests is likely to be a feisty encounter.
United hold the upper hand in recent meetings and have completed back-to-backleague doubles over their rivals, with Liverpool yet to record a victory against United manager Louis van Gaal.
“It’s great,” Liverpool’s German boss Juergen Klopp told reporters following the draw. “We deserve these games. It’s not easy. I told my staff yesterday that I wanted Man United.”
“I told my staff yesterday that I wanted Man United.”
Jurgen Klopp, Manager, Liverpool Football Club
For Liverpool and United the competition has taken on added significance with both having slipped off the pace in the chase for a place in the Premier League’s top four, which would secure qualification for the Champions League.
Since last season, the winners of the Europa League have been handed a back-door pass into the continent’s elite competition.
Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk were drawn against Belgian side Anderlecht, Sparta Prague will play Lazio and Fenerbahce take on Braga.
The two-legged ties will be played March 10 and 17.
