AFCON 2025
Clubs across Europe return to the pitch on Thursday as the UEFA Europa League knockout play-offs reach their decisive second legs, with places in the Round of 16 at stake. Teams holding slender leads must protect their advantage, while sides trailing from the first legs chase goals that could extend their European campaigns.
The early kick-offs in Belgrade, Budapest and Plzeň set the tone for the day’s action before a busy evening programme features ties in Italy, Spain, Belgium and England. Across all venues there are contrasting narratives depending on how the first legs unfolded.
At the City Ground, Nottingham Forest’s strong showing in Istanbul gives them the upper hand over Fenerbahçe, but the Turkish visitors must overturn a three-goal deficit to stay in the competition. Forest’s first-leg performance in Turkey was commanding, setting up a crucial home test that could book their place in the last 16 if they maintain discipline in defence.
In Germany, VfB Stuttgart carry a four-goal cushion into the second leg against Celtic, after a comprehensive victory at Celtic Park. The Bundesliga side’s control of the tie leaves Celtic with a significant challenge, needing a marked shift in momentum to reverse the deficit. Stuttgart’s unbeaten home record against Scottish opponents in UEFA competitions underlines their position of strength.
In Belgrade, Crvena Zvezda hold a narrow lead against Lille, a result that could prove decisive in this evenly poised contest. Lille’s need to score away from home adds urgency to their approach, but Crvena Zvezda’s slender advantage from the first leg gives them a platform to manage the game.
Fixtures such as Genk against Dinamo Zagreb, Celta Vigo versus PAOK and Bologna hosting SK Brann reflect similar two-leg narratives where the home sides must balance attack with control to secure progression. A draw or narrow defeat in some ties will suffice for teams sitting on first-leg leads, while others require a positive result to overturn earlier deficits.
With the Europa League Round of 16 draw looming and a place in the next stage on the line, Thursday’s second legs promise competitive football rooted in tactical caution and opportunism. Clubs with aggregate advantages will look to build on their earlier results, while those seeking comebacks must seize early opportunities to change the direction of their ties.
