Impressive winners of Borussia Dortmund in the knockout stages, Scottish champions Rangers host Serbian counterparts Crvena zvezda in the round of 16 first leg of the UEFA Europa League, a stage of the competition from which the Glasgow side have been knocked out each times. of the last two seasons.

• Rangers clinched a place in the UEFA Europa League knockout stage with one game to spare, finishing second behind Lyon in Group A on eight points, before beating Dortmund 6-4 on aggregate (4-2 a, 2-2 h) with Captain James Tavernier. scoring three of their goals in the tie.

• Crvena zvezda topped Group F in the autumn ahead of Braga, Midtjylland and Ludogorets but as section winners with just six goals – the same number Rangers managed in Group A. That was the first time the Belgrade team had ever finished first in a European group.

Rangers vs Crvena zvezda: the latest match news

Previous meetings
• Rangers and Crvena zvezda have already played three times in UEFA competition, with the Scottish side having the advantage with two aggregate wins against one.

• A play-off in London was needed to separate the teams when they first met, in the 1964/65 European Cup preliminary round, after Rangers won the first leg 3-1 in Glasgow and Crvena zvezda s won 4-2 in Belgrade. to return to. With no away goals rule in place, the Scottish side qualified after winning the extra game 3–1 at Arsenal’s Highbury.

• The teams only met in the second round of Crvena zvezda’s triumphant 1990/91 European Cup campaign, with Darko Pančev scoring in both matches as the Belgrade side went on to a 3-0 home win with a 1-1 draw in Glasgow.

• The most recent encounter, however, belonged to Rangers, as they eliminated Crvena zvezda from the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, Nacho Novo’s 90th-minute goal in the first leg at Ibrox s ‘proving to be the only goal of the meeting. . Walter Smith’s side would end this European campaign as UEFA Cup runners-up.

• Rangers’ only other UEFA game against a Serbian opponent was a 2006/07 UEFA Cup group game at home to Partizan, which they won 1-0 thanks to an Alan Hutton goal for reach the knockout stage. They are therefore undefeated at home by the Serbian visitors (W3 D1).

• Crvena zvezda’s all-time home and away record against Scottish opponents is W2 L3. Beaten by Celtic in the 1968/69 European Cup second round (1-5 a, 1-1 h), they beat Hearts on away goals in the Cup Winners’ Cup qualifying round European 1996/97 (0-0h, 1-1y). They still have to win in five trips to Scotland (D2 L3).

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Form Guide
Rangers
• Unbeaten champions Scotland in 2020/21 as they won a record 55th domestic league title, Rangers also made 13 appearances in the UEFA Europa League, progressing from the second qualifying round to the round of 16, where their journey ended with Slavia Prague (1-1 a, 0-2 h).

• Rangers returned to the UEFA Champions League for the first time in a decade this season but lost both third qualifying round matches 2-1 to Malmö and were therefore transferred to the UEFA Europa play-offs League, where they edged out Alashkert to reach the final. group stage for the fourth consecutive season. Although they lost their first two group games – against Lyon (0-2 h) and Sparta (0-1 a) – they remained unbeaten thereafter, taking four points from Brøndby (2-0 h, 1-1 a) and taking second place. place with a 2-0 victory over Sparta at Ibrox on matchday five in their first game under new manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who had replaced Steven Gerrard.

• This is Rangers’ fourth appearance in the UEFA Europa League round of 16, and their third in a row, a record. However, in the previous three campaigns they failed to qualify for the quarter-finals, coming out at PSV Eindhoven in 2010/11 (0-0 a, 0-1 h), at Bayer Leverkusen in 2019/20 (1-3 h, 0-1 a) and Slavia last season. They are therefore yet to win a game at this stage of the competition, scoring just two goals and losing all three home games.

• The Glasgow giants have lost just five of their last 31 European home games (W19 D7), although three of those defeats have come in the last seven – against Slavia, Malmö and Lyon. In the UEFA Europa League knockout stage, their record at Ibrox is W2 D2 L3, with all three eliminations all triggered by those home defeats.

Crvena zvezda
• A fourth consecutive Serbian SuperLiga title for Crvena zvezda in 2020/21, and second under manager Dejan Stanković, was completed with a first victory in nine years in the Serbian Cup. The club’s first domestic double since 2006/07 capped a season in which they also played a dozen games in Europe, reaching the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League, where they lost goals at the outside against AC Milan (2-2 h, 1- 1a).

• This season’s bid to return to the UEFA Champions League group stage, where Crvena zvezda played in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons, was thwarted by Moldovan champions Sheriff in the third qualifying round after that the Belgrade team had eliminated Kairat Almaty. CFR Cluj were then convincingly beaten in the UEFA Europa League play-offs to secure Crvena zvezda’s third appearance in the group stage. After advancing as runners-up in each of their two previous campaigns, in 2017/18 and 2020/21, they clinched top spot in Group F on 11 points with a 1-1 draw against second-placed Braga. the 6th day.

• This is the Belgrade side’s first appearance in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16. They lost in the Round of 16 to CSKA Moskva (0-0h, 0-1a) in 2017/18 and to Milan last season. It is the club’s biggest advancement in a UEFA competition for 30 years.

• Crvena zvezda have lost just two of their 11 away matches in the UEFA Europa League proper (W3, D6), conceding just six goals in the process. Despite being beaten on the road in both UEFA Champions League qualifiers this season, they are unbeaten in seven away matches in the UEFA Europa League, including this season’s fixtures at CFR (2 -1), Ludogorets (1-0), Midtjylland (1 -1) and Braga.

UEFA Europa League squad changes
Rangers
In: Amad Diallo (Manchester United, loan), Aaron Ramsey (Juventus, loan), James Sands (New York, loan)
Outside: Juninho Bacuna (Birmingham City), Ianis Hagi, Filip Helander, Nathan Patterson (Everton)

Crvena zvezda
In: Nemanja Motika (Bayern Munich II), Ohi Omoijuanfo (Molde), Cristiano Piccini (Valencia)
Outside: Miloš Degenek (Columbus Crew), Lois Diony, Marko Lazetić (AC Milan), Njegoš Petrović (Granada)

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• Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor, who made his 100th appearance in UEFA club competition in the first leg against Dortmund, kept a clean sheet in both games for the Ibrox club by beating Crvena zvezda in 2007/08 UEFA Champions League qualifying.

• Crvena zvezda Austrian international defender Aleksandar Dragović was part of the Leverkusen side that eliminated Rangers from the UEFA Europa League two seasons ago, starting the first leg at Ibrox and coming off the bench in the second leg.

• Aleksandar Katai, who converted crucial penalties for Crvena zvezda in both group games against Braga, also found the net for Serbia against Scotland in the UEFA EURO 2020 play-off penalty shoot-out, where Scotland, with Ryan Jack of Rangers, won 5-4 in Belgrade.

• Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield and Crvena zvezda goalkeeper Milan Borjan both played international football for Canada.

• Opposing managers Van Bronckhorst and Stanković met for the Netherlands and Serbia and Montenegro respectively in a group stage match at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, with the Oranje winning 1-0 in Leipzig. Both players have won over 100 caps at senior international level (Van Bronckhorst 106, Stanković 103).

• Rangers are in the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League for the third successive season. Only one team, Sevilla (2013/14–2015/16), have already scored the treble.

• Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos’ goal in the first leg against Dortmund was his 31st in all rounds of the UEFA Europa League, qualifying included, making him the third-highest all-time goalscorer in the league UEFA Europa League and UEFA Cup combined – level with Radamel Falcao and Aritz Aduriz and behind only Henrik Larsson (40) and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (34).

• Rangers and Crvena zvezda are the only two defending domestic champions to make the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 this season. The Serbian club is one of three national cup winners on the pitch, along with Barcelona and Braga.

• Crvena zvezda are one of three former European Cup/UEFA Champions League winners involved in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16, along with Barcelona and Porto.

• Serbia have a club in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 for the first time, making them the 23rd nation represented at this stage of the competition.

• Rangers and Crvena zvezda currently sit second in their domestic league standings behind their arch-rivals, the first three points behind Celtic, the bottom two behind Partizan.

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Russia has been expelled from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by FIFA after world governing body and European association UEFA issued a joint statement confirming that all Russian national teams and clubs have been suspended until further notice following the invasion of ukraine.

Amid growing pressure from European nations and the International Olympic Committee, FIFA and UEFA confirmed on Monday that Russia would not take part in the next World Cup qualifiers – Russia were due to face Poland in the semi-finals before a possible final against Sweden or the Czech Republic. Republic in March – and that the Russian women’s team would be withdrawn from the European Championships which would be held in England in July.

Spartak Moscow have also been dropped from the Europa League, meaning round-of-16 opponents RB Leipzig will be granted a bye to the quarter-finals of the competition.

In a separate move, UEFA have confirmed they are canceling their deal with sponsor Gazprom – the Russian energy company – which brings in €40m a year to the organisation.

UEFA’s decision comes after St Petersburg were stripped of the hosting rights for this season’s Champions League final, with Paris coming after the decision to move the showpiece away from the Russian city.

In a statement, FIFA and UEFA said: “Following the first decisions adopted by the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee, which provided for the adoption of additional measures, FIFA and UEFA have decided today together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, will be suspended from participating in FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice.

“These decisions were adopted today by the Bureau of the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee, respectively the highest decision-making bodies of the two institutions on such urgent matters.

“Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all those affected in Ukraine. Both presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and quickly so that football can once again be a vehicle for unity and peace among peoples.”

Commenting on the decision to sever ties with Gazprom, UEFA said: “UEFA decided today to end its partnership with Gazprom in all competitions.

“The decision takes effect immediately and covers all existing agreements, including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA national team competitions and UEFA EURO 2024.”

Friday morning’s Europa Conference League clash between Marseille and Qarabag delivered a stunning act of sportsmanship, as one player scored a goal with his hand and sparked eight minutes of mayhem on the pitch – before asking the referee to cancel his goal.

French heavyweights Olympique de Marseille were leading 1-0 (and 4-1 on aggregate) on the half-hour mark of the second leg of their round of 16 when Senegal striker Ibrahima Wadji kicked a ball into the goal. the Azerbaijani team.

Polish referee Bartosz Frankowski missed the handball, which came as Wadji faced the Marseille goalkeeper for a cross.

And Europe’s third-tier continental tournament – unlike the Champions League and Europa League – does not employ a video assistant referee (VAR) until the competition’s final.

The Marseille players were furious, with Arsenal midfielder on loan Matteo Guendouzi reportedly chasing his opponent down the pitch while repeatedly shouting: “You are a cheater.”

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The referee handed out a flurry of yellow cards to the furious Marseillais for their complaints and tried to restore order.

But Wadji went to speak with Qarabag coach Gurban Gurbanov and conceded the breach, before the player spoke to the referee who eventually overturned the decision – a good eight minutes after the goal had been awarded to the origin.

Marseille were infamously knocked out in the semi-finals of the European Cup in 1990 by Benfica striker Vata, who scored a goal now known as the ‘hand of the devil’ – a reference to the famous ‘hand of the devil’ goal. of God” by Diego Maradona.

“Regarding the 2022 UEFA Champions League Final in Saint Petersburg, we would like to inform you that UEFA is continuously monitoring the situation closely and that any decision would be taken in due course if necessary. UEFA has no further comment at this time,” a UEFA spokesperson told CNN on Tuesday.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said on Wednesday England teams would have to boycott May’s final – if they succeed – following Russia’s actions.

Four English teams – Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool – are among the 16 teams remaining in this year’s competition.

Russian and Ukrainian teams in UEFA and FIFA competitions

There are no more Ukrainian teams in any of UEFA’s major men’s or women’s club competitions, while there are no Russian clubs left in the men’s or women’s UEFA Champions League or the men’s UEFA Conference League .

Russian side Zenit Saint Petersburg are, however, one of two remaining teams in the men’s UEFA Europa League competition. They are set to play the second leg of their round of 16 knockout tie against Real Betis in Spain on Thursday. Zenit are currently trailing 3-2 in the draw.

Spartak Moscow have already qualified for the Round of 16 by finishing top of their group in the group stages.

UEFA also announced that it had taken the decision to postpone the UEFA Youth League Round of 16 match between Dynamo Kyiv and Sporting Lisbon, which was due to be played in Kyiv on March 2.

The match is now due to take place a week later on March 9, with UEFA adding that it “is in contact with both clubs for any further decision”.

On the international stage, Russia are set to host Poland in a men’s semi-final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on March 24. The match is scheduled to take place at the VTB Arena in Moscow.

The winner of that encounter would then face either Sweden or the Czech Republic at home on March 29 for a place in the November final.

Ukraine are also in the playoffs. He is due to face Scotland in Glasgow on March 24 in the semi-finals and, if he were victorious, he would then be absent again in Wales or Austria on March 29 to secure a place in Qatar.

FIFA told CNN it is “monitoring the situation”.

Manchester City and Ukraine star Oleksandr Zinchenko took to social media on Tuesday to express his support for Ukrainians amid escalating tensions with Russia.

“My country belongs to the Ukrainians and no one can ever take it over. We will not give up! Glory to Ukraine.”

Russia and Ukraine are also due to play their next round of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 qualifiers in April.

Russia will face away matches in Montenegro and Malta on April 7 and 12, respectively, while Ukraine are set to host Scotland and Hungary in Kyiv on April 8 and 12, respectively.

The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 brings David de Gea back to his roots, with the Manchester United keeper set to face his former side Atlético de Madrid for the first time since leaving the Spanish capital for Old Trafford in 2011.

De Gea worked his way into the Atlético first team during a sparkling spell that won the club the 2009/10 UEFA Europa League and 2010 UEFA Super Cup titles under the direction of coach Quique Sánchez Flores. However, if the memories will return as the 31-year-old returns to the Spanish capital, he insists it will be business as usual at kick-off.

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Back at Atlético with United

I like the fact that I was born in Madrid, but in the end it’s just a city. Now I feel like I’m from Manchester; I feel like anyone else in Manchester. Where you are loved and welcomed is your home. I’ve been here for many years and obviously anything can happen in life, in football, but honestly I can’t see myself far from Manchester United.

Of course I’m going home [for this tie], I’m going back to the club that gave me the opportunity to be who I am today. But that’s just another game. Everyone wants to play well, we want to win, it’s a Champions League match. Obviously, I wish Atlético the best, but I don’t know if the fact that we play them is a good or a bad omen. Everyone goes there to win, especially me.

By joining the Atlético team at 19

The glory of Atlético in the Europa League 2010

At that time, I was kind of the third-choice keeper [behind Sergio Asenjo and Roberto]. I always believed in myself, I trained a lot and I was just trying to prove: “I’m here, I may be young but I’m good enough”. I tried to do my best, and then it was lucky for me but unfortunate for Roberto that he got injured and I had the chance to prove that I was good enough.

When Quique [Sánchez Flores] happened, the team has changed. We won game after game, and there was a time when Asenjo and I were both available and he picked me. I played almost every game. We reached the UEFA Europa League final and we won it. We also reached the Copa del Rey final. We lost, but at least we made it to the final. And then we won the UEFA Super Cup against this great Inter team.

Be good with your feet

All of Manchester United’s group stage goals

What a goalie has to do is keep the goals out; that’s the most important thing. And then, if you have the talent or the quality to be able to play with your feet and have good vision, it’s phenomenal. I feel very comfortable playing with my feet, playing from the back, following the example of my team, but it depends on the coach and the style of play.

[With Spain we] play with a very high defensive line. I’ve been playing like this since I’ve been in the youth teams. [At United] we try to play with a high line, but some players are very fast and very talented, and if the pressing is not good enough, we can have problems behind. But for the goalkeeper, you need to be out of your line, on the lookout for any potential passes behind the back so you can help your defence.

On his taste for heavy metal

David de Gea celebrating Atlético’s success in the 2009/10 UEFA Europa League at the Neptuno Fountain in MadridGetty Images

It started when I was a kid. I spent my summers in Alicante with my parents. There were other boys around, a little older than me, and they listened to that kind of music, so I listened too. I like heavy metal and rock. It really motivates me. I love Slipknot, Avenged Sevenfold, System of a Down. I also like Bullet for My Valentine. I kinda like everything, anything you can think of – [Frank] Sintra, for example. I also like Spanish music. Frankly, I listen to everything.

Am I a good dancer? Well…I’m not a bad mover considering my size. I have a good sense of rhythm. I don’t dance like Michael Jackson, but I’m fine, honestly. I am a good dancer; a really: decent standard.

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A first European away win of the season gave Slavia Praha the lead as they led 3-2 in the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League knockout stage against Fenerbahçe.

• Slavia, who have played in all three European club competitions this season, finished second in their UEFA Europa Conference League section behind Feyenoord, finishing with eight points, one clear of Union Berlin, while Fenerbahçe finished third in UEFA Europa League Group D. , behind Eintracht Frankfurt and Olympiacos.

Previous meetings
• The clubs’ first UEFA meeting took place in Istanbul on 17 February and it was the visitors who emerged victorious, Ibrahim Traoré of Slavia, Oscar Dorley and Ondřej Lingr and Dimitris Pelkas and Ferdi Kadıoğlu of Fenerbahçe all finding the target for the first time in this European campaign. in a five-goal thriller.

• Slavia’s only experience against a Turkish opponent before the first leg was a draw in the 2002/03 UEFA Cup fourth round, losing 4-3 on aggregate to Fenerbahçe rivals Beşiktaş (1-0h, 2 -4a).

• Fenerbahçe have now faced Czech opponents 11 times (W4 D1 L6). They lost their first three away matches in the Czech Republic, conceding 14 goals in the process, but won the last two, both 1-0.

• The Istanbul team’s record in knockout ties against Czech clubs is W2 L2, the most recent ending in their favor by eliminating Viktoria Plzeň from the 2012/13 UEFA Europa League Round of 16 (1-0y, 1-1h) en route to reaching the semi-finals of what remains the club’s most successful European campaign.

Slavia Praha vs Fenerbahçe: the latest match news

Form Guide
Slavia
• Slavia went through the entire 2020/21 domestic season unbeaten to claim a Czech league and cup double, and also enjoyed a long run in the UEFA Europa League, reaching the last eight for the second time in three seasons, where he lost to Arsenal. having already defeated two other British clubs, Leicester City and Rangers, in the knockout stage.

• This European campaign did not start well for Jindřich Trpišovský’s side, however, with defeats in both qualifying matches – against Ferencváros in the UEFA Champions League and against Legia Warszawa in the UEFA Europa League play-offs. It meant a move to the UEFA Europa Conference League, where they won two, drew two and lost two of their group games, with a vital 1-1 draw in Berlin on Matchday 6 allowing them to qualify as Group E runners-up at hosts Union. costs, although six points adrift of section winners Feyenoord.

• Slavia have lost just one of their last 12 European matches in Prague (W6 D5) – 0-4 against Arsenal in the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg last season – and are unbeaten at home in this continental campaign (W3 D2).

• The Prague side have won nine of the ten UEFA matches in which they have won the away leg, most recently against CFR Cluj in the UEFA qualifying play-offs Champions League 2019/20 (1-0 a, 1-0 h). . Their only defeat came against Shakhtar Donetsk in the 2000/01 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round (1-0 a, 0-2 aet). They have never won the first leg away 3-2 before, although all but one of those first leg wins came by a goal.

Fenerbahce
• Third in the 2020/21 Turkish Süper Lig, two points behind champions Beşiktaş and runners-up Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe returned to Europe after two seasons away and beat HJK Helsinki in the play-offs to earn a sixth UEFA appearance . Europa League group stage.

• The Istanbul club’s perfect record in UEFA Europa League group stage qualifying came to an end this season, however, as they were beaten at home (0-3) and away (0- 1) by Olympiacos and held to two draws 1-1 by Eintracht Frankfurt. Their only win was 3-0 away to Antwerp, with whom they had drawn 2-2 at home a fortnight earlier.

• Fenerbahçe’s victory in the play-offs in Helsinki last August ended a six-game losing streak on their trip to Europe (D1 L5). Their last European road win in the spring was that 1-0 success in Pilsen nine years ago; since then, their record is D2 L4, with defeats in the last three.

• The Istanbul side have lost all nine of their previous UEFA matches in which they lost at home in the first leg, seven of them by one goal but none by a 2-3 scoreline . They have also lost the second leg away on nine occasions, most recently to Arsenal in the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League qualifying play-offs (0-3h, 0-2a).

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UEFA Europa Conference League squad changes
Slavia
In: Mads Emil Madsen, Yira Sor (Baník Ostrava), Maksym Talovierov (Dynamo České Budějovice)
Outside: Jan Boříl, Ubong Ekpai (Baník Ostrava, loan), Christian Fülöp, Jan Kuchta (Lokomotiv Moscow), Ladislav Takács

Fenerbahce
In: Serdar Dursun, Ozan Tufan (Watford, ready)
Outside: Max Meyer (Midtjylland, loan), Diego Rossi, Muhammed Gümüskaya (Giresunspor, loan)

Links and stories
• Fenerbahçe defender Filip Novák is a Czech international. He played six times against Slavia in the Czech league for Zlín and Jablonec (W3 D2 L1), scoring in both games against them for Jablonec in 2014/15 (1-1 a, 2-1 h).

• Novák has played alongside several Slavia players for the Czech Republic and is a former Jablonec team-mate with Lukáš Masopust (2014-16) and Stanislav Tecl (2015/16).

• Tecl made his senior debut for the Czech Republic as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Turkey in a friendly in Manisa on 6 February 2013.

• Fenerbahçe appointed a new head coach on 12 January, İsmail Kartal to replace Vítor Pereira, who was dismissed on 20 December.

• Slavia are one of two defending domestic champions to take part in the UEFA Europa Conference League knockout stages, fellow holders Norway Bodø/Glimt.

Shoot to the net
• Slavia’s UEFA record for two penalty kicks is W2 L0:
5-4 v Schalke, 1998/99 UEFA Cup first round
4-3 v Žilina, 2007/08 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round

• Fenerbahçe’s record in a UEFA penalty shootout is W1 L0:
3-2 v Sevilla, 2007/08 UEFA Champions League Round of 16

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In this edition of his weekly column, ESPN’s senior Bundesliga commentator Derek Rae writes that while Borussia Dortmund are technically in the hunt for the league title, no one at the club wants to talk boldly about winning Bayern. Munich. The team’s plans for the future are intriguing, but several question marks hover over them. Overall, it is an uncertain time.

Admit it: some of you were waiting for Borussia Dortmund to live up to all the clichés about them last Sunday. Bayern having suffered a hair-raising and chaotic 4-2 loss at VfL Bochum the day before (stream the replay on ESPN+ in the US), the scene seemed set for Schwarzgelben to spoil their chance to reduce the deficit at the top of the Bundesliga table to six points. After all, it’s happened before.

Instead, Marco Rose’s side delivered one of their most assured performances of the season as they accelerated away from Union Berlin at Kopenick. There was nothing flattering about the 3-0 triumph in which captain Marco Reus scored twice in the first 25 minutes and played a starring role (stream the replay on ESPN+ in the US).

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In most leagues, being six points behind with 12 rounds remaining – and a head-to-head with the leaders to come – would represent a fighting chance. However, from Dortmund’s perspective, the specter of Bayern’s nine successive titles looms large and no one dares to get carried away at a single swing of the clock. After all, Dortmund had spent the past week at their Brackel HQ, digesting and trying to remove from the collective memory bank an error-ridden 5-2 loss at home to their closest pursuers in the battle for second place. : Bayer Leverkusen. First of all.

So what did BVB do well in the southeastern outskirts of Berlin? It started with much more effective form in a 4-2-3-1 formation that allowed much better protection from a previously exposed back four.

One of Dortmund’s problems this season has been getting caught by the opposition as they Aufbau (or “build-up”) themselves. The new form, with midfielders Axel Witsel and Mahmoud Dahoud acting as windshield wipers, has allowed Dan-Axel Zagadou (who endured a nightmare against Leverkusen) to look much calmer. Having Mats Hummels healthy again by his side in defense also visibly helped.

The other benefit of this tactical adjustment was that it put Reus in his preferred No.10 position. At times, in Rose’s oft-favorite 4-3-3, Reus had to move further to the right of attack and he’s never quite the same potent threat when he’s not immediately behind the main striker, from where he can make well-timed runs. and cause havoc for those tasked with retrieving his movement.

Criticism was leveled at BVB for their overreliance on Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham, but Haaland was again out due to his muscle injury and Bellingham had one of his most ordinary outings.

After the victory, having closed the points gap, Reus and Hummels refused to be drawn into discussions about what it would take to ‘stop’ Bayern. Reus looks like he’s had enough of this kind of talk, and he said it. Hummels felt it was more important to be 12 points ahead of fifth-placed teams, including Union.

Cementing a Champions League spot is the No. 1 priority. Avoiding mishaps in this pursuit, as opposed to chasing the recording mastersomething that former Bayern central defender Hummels considers a good thing to dream about more than a realistic scenario, represents the realpolitik of the situation in which Dortmund finds itself.

Remember: Dortmund had to give up from start to finish to enter Europe’s premier club competition. The fact that they failed to progress from what looked like a manageable Champions League group this season is a bitter disappointment. Club CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has tried to motivate the players in the Europa League knockout stage, which kicks off against Rangers on Thursday. Win a trophy that BVB have never won before, according to logic, and recoup some of the money lost in the Champions League mishap. It may be difficult, but why not?

With 2. Bundesliga upstarts St. Pauli having knocked out holders Dortmund from the DFB-Pokal, one gets the feeling that they are a side that feel they have something to prove in every game. Better than the others, apart from Bayern, but still well below their main enemies.

Looking ahead, the summer promises to be exciting. Michael Zorc will step down from his sporting director chair after nearly a quarter of a century, and it will become Sebastian Kehl’s show. Kehl, a big club (like Zorc) on the pitch, have already pulled off a coup by securing Niklas Sule from Bayern as a free agent for next season, and they will do their best to sign Nico Schlotterbeck from SC Freiburg and FC Salzburg. Karim Adeyemi.

Of course, there will be departures to bear, and probably important ones if Haaland and Manuel Akanji decide to end their respective stays at the club. There is also always a big concern about a lack of depth; for example, there is always a right-back problem. Thomas Meunier has improved this season, but were fans expecting a more complete player? I believe him. The scarcity of strong options at both fullback positions is alarming.

Hand on heart, did Nico Schulz exude confidence when he replaced Raphael Guerreiro? Not especially. Schulz seems to me to be someone who really needs to play every week, but for a club a little lower in the rankings.

That said, there’s plenty to be excited about. In Giovanni Reyna, Dortmund have the kind of young talent who can light up any top league with his dynamism. But Kehl’s challenge is to find the right balance of squad, not just sparkling individuals, which has been elusive for BVB for several years.

The law of averages says that one of these years Bayern will slip, even if only marginally. Borussia Dortmund need to make sure they are armed enough to clench their fists when that happens.

Norway’s Bodø/Glimt matched their stunning 6-1 loss to Roma in the group stage by beating Celtic 3-1 on the opening night of the UEFA knockout stage Europa Conference League.

Elsewhere, Leicester City and Marseille got off to a comfortable start at home and Slavia Praha triumphed at Fenerbahçe, while neighbors Sparta Praha were undone by a late Partizan goal. UEFA.com wraps up the action.

Predictor: How did you do?

Leicester City 4-1 Randers

Leicester ended a five-game winless streak, with Wilfred Ndidi setting the tone with a finish after a clever brace with Ademola Lookman. Patrik Carlgren then made a string of saves to hold off Leicester, before Vito Hammershøj-Mistrati leveled again moments before half-time.

Harvey Barnes quickly dashed the visitors’ hopes after the break, and well-worked tap-ins from Patson Daka and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall sealed victory.

Key stat: Daka (six goals) added to his tally as Leicester’s all-time leading goalscorer in Europe, while Barnes (five) overtook Riyad Mahrez (four) for second place on this list.

Celtic 1-3 Bodø/Glimt

Highlights: Celtic 1-3 Bodø/Glimt

Bodø/Glimt’s remarkable rise continued with a fine victory in Glasgow. The visitors to the Arctic Circle took the lead with seven minutes spent by Runar Espejord and extended their lead shortly after the break when Amahl Pellegrino showed good composure from close range. Daizen Maeda’s header gave Celtic hope, but Hugo Vetlesen struck almost immediately to leave the Norwegian side in control.

Key stat: It was Celtic’s second home defeat against a team from Norway – and only Bodø/Glimt’s second away win in European football this century.

Fenerbahce 2-3 Slavia Prague

Highlights: Fenerbahçe 2-3 Slavia Praha

Ibrahim Traoré opened the scoring for Slavia just before the break after Srdjan Plavšić touched the post. Dimitris Pelkas coolly equalized just before the hour mark, but Oscar Dorley’s spectacular smoothing shot and substitute Ondřej Lingr’s low drive capped a devastating three-minute spell for Slavia. Ferdi Kadıoğlu’s late and deflected curler gave Fenerbahçe hope for the second leg.

Key stat: It was Slavia’s first victory in seven away matches in UEFA competition.

Marseille 3-1 Qarabag

Highlights: Marseille 3-1 Qarabag

The in-form Arkadiusz Milik struck twice in a row in the first half, putting one away after his header was cleared off the line and then finishing calmly after Qarabağ was caught trying to try to play from behind. The Azerbaijani side rallied in the second half as Filip Ozobić hit a post before Kady’s goal rewarded a neat move. Dimitri Payet’s stoppage-time strike from fellow substitute Bamba Dieng’s cross eased the tension.

Key stat: Milik has now scored 12 goals in his last 11 appearances in all competitions.

PSV Eindhoven 1-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv

Highlights: PSV 1-0 M. Tel Aviv

Cody Gakpo’s early arrival was enough to secure victory for PSV, but the Dutch side failed to convert their dominance into chances and deliver a more decisive blow ahead of next week’s second leg at Bloomfield Stadium. Dor Peretz brilliantly fended off Noni Madueke’s header and PSV’s Israeli striker Eran Zahavi sent a free-kick just a hair’s breadth away as the visitors maintained an equal score.

Key stat: Gakpo, 22, has appeared in each of PSV’s last three games: one in the Dutch Cup, one in the Eredivisie and now one in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Sparta Prague 0-1 Partizan

Highlights: Sparta Prague 0-1 Partizan

The hosts paid the price after failing to convert ball possession into meaningful pressure, with Partizan breaking through in the 78th minute in Prague. Saša Zdjelar threw a long ball forward and Queensy Menig chased it between two retreating defenders before passing Dominik Holec for the first time. The goalkeeper saved Miloš Jojić late to keep Sparta in the draw, and they almost managed to equalize after a last-minute corner kick.

Key stat: No team has scored more than once in Partizan’s last five European matches: that 1-0 win, two 1-0 losses and two 1-1 draws.

Midtjylland 1-0 PAOK

Highlights: Midtjylland 1-0 PAOK

Joel Andersson’s well conceded goal in the 20th minute gave the Danish side a slim advantage to take in the second leg, right-back played by Evander before firing low from Alexandros Paschalakis. Midtjylland robbed PAOK of chances in Herning and almost doubled their advantage, with Brazilian midfielder Charles hitting the post from long range.

Key stat: Midtjylland remain unbeaten at home in Europe since the start of this season’s UEFA Europa League group stage (W2 D2).

Rapid Vienna 2-1 Speed

Highlights: Rapid Vienna 2-1 Speed

An action-packed opening minute began with Vitesse forcing Paul Gartler into a save, before Robert Ljubičić slotted in Ferdy Druijf to head in the first UEFA Europa Conference League goal to date. Marco Grüll’s quick feet scored a superb solo goal 15 minutes later, but Vitesse recovered with Loïs Openda’s powerful strike after Filip Stojković was sent off for Rapid.

Key stat: Rapid were winless at home in four games in all competitions tonight; Vitesse have now lost five in a row, conceding 18 in the process.

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