UEFA Nations League: all it’s worthwhile to know

What is the background to the UEFA Nations League? The rejuvenation of nationwide crew soccer – and the UEFA Nations League – stems from the will of UEFA and its 55 member associations to enhance the standard and standing of nationwide crew soccer. UEFA and its associations wished extra sporting which means in nationwide crew soccer, with associations, coaches, gamers and supporters more and more of the opinion that pleasant matches are usually not offering sufficient competitors for nationwide groups. Extensive session and discussions began way back to the 2011 UEFA Strategy Meeting in Cyprus and continued at a collection of To... UEFA.com -

Chelsea v Slavia Praha background

A 1-Zero first-leg win within the Czech Republic has put Chelsea in a robust place of their quarter-final tie towards Slavia Praha. Should the London membership prolong their unbeaten run within the competitors to a record-equalling 15th match, they are going to be by to the UEFA Europa League semi-finals for the second time.• Chelsea have received ten of their 11 matches on this UEFA Europa League marketing campaign, drawing the opposite. They dominated Group L within the autumn earlier than coasting to a 5-1 combination victory over Malmö within the spherical of 32 after which overwhelming Dynamo Kyiv 8-Zero over the 2 legs within the spherical

Napoli v Arsenal background

Arsenal arrive in southern Italy armed with a 2-Zero first-leg lead as they bid to remove Napoli and attain the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League for the second season in succession. Their hosts will once more have to name on a powerful run of European house kind this season as they appear to emulate their UEFA Cup triumph of 30 years in the past.• Napoli had been one of the best third-placed crew on this season's UEFA Champions League group stage, ending with 9 factors, however their solely defeat, 0-1 at Liverpool on matchday six, enabled the Merseysiders to leapfrog them into second place on targets

Rennes v Arsenal background

Rennes v Arsenal background

The most successful European campaign in Rennes' history continues with an appetising UEFA Europa League round of 16 tie against English heavyweights Arsenal. Although the first leg was originally drawn to take place in London, it has been switched instead to Brittany.• Rennes recovered from three successive defeats to take Group K's runners-up spot behind Dynamo Kyiv thanks to victories at Jablonec (1-0) and – in a must-win decider – at home to Astana on matchday six (2-0). They then caused an upset by defeating Group G winners Real Betis in the round of 32, winning 3-1 in Seville after a 3-3 home draw.

BATE v Arsenal background

BATE v Arsenal background

BATE Borisov and Arsenal meet in the UEFA Europa League for the second successive season, the English club hoping for a repeat of the results in the 2017/18 group stage as they seek a place in the round of 16 for the second year in a row.• It was nines across the board for BATE – points, goals for and goals against – as they finished runners-up to another London club, Chelsea, in Group L, sealing their qualification on matchday six with a 3-1 win at PAOK. Arsenal cruised through to the round of 32 from Group E, dropping just two points as they qualified with two

Liverpool v Bayern background

Liverpool v Bayern background

One of the most successful sides in European Cup history will bow out of this season's competition as Liverpool and Bayern München meet in of the last 16's standout ties.• The teams each have five titles to their name – Liverpool's last triumph coming in 2005 and Bayern's in 2013 – but have both suffered recent disappointment. The English club were beaten by Real Madrid in last season's final, while Bayern have lost in the semi-finals in four of the last five years, including last season's defeat by Madrid. • This season Bayern held off Ajax to finish first in Group E

Manchester United v Paris background

Manchester United v Paris background

Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain meet for the first time with a place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals the prize for the winners of their round of 16 tie.• While French champions Paris come into this contest having finished first in a strong Group C, United – who have replaced manager José Mourinho with Ole Gunnar Solskjær since the group stage – were the runners-up behind Juventus in Group H. • Both teams have suffered recent round of 16 disappointment. United have not reached the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals since 2013/14, while Paris's last two campaigns have ended at this stage,