One of five Italian semi-finalists across the three UEFA club competitions, Calcio giants the Old Lady aim to overcome Europa League hurdle during Juventus vs Sevilla over two legs, starting on Thursday night in Turin.

Juventus vs Sevilla: Match Preview

Nearing the end of a controversy-hit campaign, Max Allegri's Juventus will host UEL experts Sevilla in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semifinals in a bid to end the season on a high. The Spanish club has already ousted one giant in Manchester United and will be hoping to do the same to Juve.

Juventus recently had their 15-point deduction overturned, and their recent three-match unbeaten run sees them second on the Serie A table. Napoli have run away with the league title this season and the Bianconeri do not have any other trophy to fight for except the Europa League.

🎙 Allegri: "Juventus have played in two finals and we want to get into this one too. We've done very well morally and professionally, but the three most important weeks of all lie ahead of us now"#UEL #JUVSEV

— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) May 10, 2023

Sevilla, on the other hand, has enjoyed reasonable success under their third managerial appointment of the season, Jose Luis Mendilibar. They are 11th in La Liga and will be optimistic about their chances of pulling off yet another upset in Europe's second-tier competition.

📍🇮🇹 ¡𝗩𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘀, 𝗦𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗔! ❤️pic.twitter.com/zWObVuSTvF

— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) May 10, 2023

Current Form:

There aren't many managers as desperate for silverware as Max Allegri this season. His team has made quiet progress in recent games after big defeats against Napoli and Inter. Juventus enter the match after back-to-back victories in La Liga, which came against Lecce and Atalanta. 

Sevilla on the other hand has already beaten Fenerbahce and Manchester United en route to the semis. They come into this game with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Espanyol in La Liga. Sevilla showed great character in their last game after trailing 1-2 and might need to show the same kind of resilience against the Bianconeri.

Team News:

Juventus:

After a long time this season, Max Allegri seems to have an almost full squad to choose from. Mattea De Sciglio is the only notable exception with both Paul Pogba and Federico Chiesa making recent returns.

Good morning from the boys ⚪️⚫️

Look what Moise has picked up from Tek 😂 pic.twitter.com/3ppTBsqlsF

— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) May 10, 2023

Leandro Paredes will be fresh to start after his Serie A suspension, while Dusan Vlahovic also returned to form with two goals in his last two appearances. Juve will have a wealth of attacking options with the likes of Angel Di Maria, Filip Kostic, and on-loan striker Arkadiusz Milik all available to start. 

Sevilla:

Sevilla was sweating over the fitness of three important players in the form of Lucas Ocampos, Fernando, and Erik Lamela. However, all three of them have travelled to Turin and can be expected to feature.

📋 Mendilibar names a 20-man squad to travel to Turin. ✈️

— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) May 9, 2023

However, they are missing their main centrebacks Tanguy Nianzou and Marcao. In their absence, Sevilla will have a makeshift defense with Nemanja Gudelj expected to slot in. Finally, both Suso and Tecatito will be unavailable for the first leg and are expected to return next week.

Juventus vs Sevilla: Head to Head

The two teams have understandably never come up against each other in the Europa League. Juventus have limited recent Europa League experience and come up against a side that has won the competition a record six times.

There have been a total of four previous matches between Juve and Sevilla, all of them coming in the Champions League. Juve has won twice, while Sevilla has won just once.

Sevilla can take solace in the fact that they have won each of their last six Europa League matches against Italian clubs. The last Italian club they faced in UEL was Inter, in the 2020 Final.

Predicted Line-ups:

Juventus (3-5-1-1): Wojciech Szczesny; Danilo, Bremer, Alex Sandro; Juan Cuadrado, Nicolo Fagioli, Manuel Locatelli, Adrien Rabiot, Filip Kostic; Angel Di Maria; Dusan Vlahovic

Sevilla (4-2-3-1): Yassine Bounou; Jesus Navas, Louc Bade, Nemanja Gudelj, Marcos Acuna; Papa Gueye, Ivan Rakitic; Lucas Ocampos, Oliver Torres, Bryan Gil; Youssef En-Nesyri

JUV vs SEV: Fantasy XI

Yassine Bounou; Jesus Navas, Danilo, Bremer, Manuel Locatelli, Adrien Rabiot, Ivan Rakitic; Angel Di Maria; Dusan Vlahovic, Youssef En-Nesyri

The Spanish League, or Laliga, is the second most-viewed football league in the world. It is regarded as one of the top five elite European leagues and has legendary clubs. Many football legends played in this league but only a few of them managed to play for a long duration and hold the record of most matches in Laliga. Here is the list of the top 11 players with the most matches in Laliga.

Top 11 players with the most matches in Laliga history:

11. Lionel Messi | FC Barcelona | 520 Matches

One of the greatest players to ever grace this sport, Lionel Messi ranks 11th in the most matches in Laliga history's list with 520 appearances.

The Argentine forward came to Spain at a very young age and played for FC Barcelona since he was a teenager. The Catalan talisman also holds the record for the most goals in Laliga, with 474 strikes.

Read Also: Lionel Messi Stats: Goals in every calendar year by Messi

10. Antoine Griezmann | FC Barcelona, Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid | 520 Matches

Antoine Griezmann has now played 520 matches in Laliga, making him one of the players with the most matches in Laliga history.

The French international has been a pivotal player for both Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad, including his short spell in FC Barcelona. Although a player like this has never been crowned with a Laliga title, his dedication to the game has made him one of the greatest players in the league.

Read Also: Most Goals in a La Liga season - Lionel Messi leads the list

9. Manolo Sanchis | Real Madrid CF | 523 Matches

Manolo Sanchis was a Centre-back and represented Real Madrid in 523 matches, making him one of the players with the most matches in Laliga. The legendary defender won the league a total of eight times and also has two Spanish Cups in his cabinet.

8. Sergio Ramos | Real Madrid CF, Sevilla | 536 Matches

Sergio Ramos has made 536 appearances in Laliga, making him the eighth player in this list of the most matches in Laliga history.

The legendary Spanish Centre-back represented Sevilla and then Real Madrid in the competition multiple times. The former Spaniard won four UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid.

Read Also: Top 5 Defenders with the Most Champions League goals

7. Paco Buyo | Real Madrid, Sevilla, RCD Mallorca, RCD Coruna | 542 Matches

Paco Buyo is one of only two goalkeepers on the list who has played the most matches in Laliga history. He made 542 appearances in Laliga, turning out mostly for Real Madrid. Buyo has a special place in the club's history and won the league title six times with Real Madrid.

6. Eusebio | Real Valladolid, Celta Vigo, FC Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid | 543 Matches

Eusebio is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders, and he played his career's most matches in Laliga. The Spanish midfielder played 543 matches in Laliga, representing four clubs. Eusebio is a FC Barcelona legend, having won four titles with them. He retired from his professional career in 2002 and has since become a manager.

5. Loren Juarros | Real Sociedad, Real Burgos, Athletic Bilbao | 546 Matches

Loren Juarros is a former Spanish footballer and is known for his longevity in Laliga, having played 546 matches in the competition. Primarily a defender, he spent most of his career at Real Sociedad becoming a club legend.

His impressive appearance tally places him among the players with the most matches in Laliga. After retiring, Lorren transitioned into a sporting director role, contributing to Real Sociedad's player recruitment and development plan.

4. Raul | Real Madrid CF | 550 Matches

Raul was one of the most lethal strikers the sport has ever seen. A club legend for Real Madrid, he made over 550 matches and cemented his in the most matches in Laliga history list.

The Spaniard scored 228 goals as well during that time. He won six La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League titles with the club. Currently, he is the manager of Real Madrid Castilla.

3. Raul Garcia | Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid, CA Osasuna | 609 Matches

Raul Garcia has carved his place in football history by becoming one of the players with the most matches in Laliga, totaling an incredible 609 appearances.

The Spanish midfielder is known for his versatility and leadership. He played for CA Osasuna, Atletico Madrid, and Athletic Bilbao, leaving a lasting impact at each club. His longevity and consistency made him a key figure in Spanish football.

2. Andoni Zubizarreta | Valencia, Athletic Bilbao, Deportivo Alaves, FC Barcelona | 622 Matches

Andoni Zubizarreta made 622 appearances and is the player with the second-most matches in Laliga. The Goalkeeper extensively for Athletic Bilbao, Valencia, Deportivo Alaves, and FC Barcelona.

He won the league a total of six times, four with FC Barcelona and two with Athletic Bilbao. Zubizarreta retired from the sport in 1998. 

1. Joaquin | Real Betis, Malaga CF, and Valencia | 622 Matches

Joaquin holds the record for the most matches in Laliga, with 622 appearances throughout his career. The Spanish winger, known for his time at Real Betis, Valencia, and Malaga CF, surpassed the previous record of 622 matches held by Andoni Zubizarreta.

UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League are the two pinnacles of European club tournaments, awarding the coveted continental silverware to the top clubs in Europe. 

Borth tournaments are prestigious for clubs competing in these, and hold different merits and various aspects of prizes that come with these silverware. 

However, if you are a fan of a top club that crashed out of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, you would definitely be disheartened. But, on the other end, if your club clinches the Europa League, would you celebrate it in the same manner when your club reached the UCL semis?

This may be a tough choice for fans who naturally covet the utmost success for their beloved clubs. But this question may always arise in every football fan's mind, which one is better to choose? Crashing out in the UCL semis or winning the Europa League?

Sportz Point delves into this interesting discussion through this article.

Read Also | UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Quarterfinals schedule: Everything you need to know

Crashing out of UEFA Champions League Semis: Pros and Cons

Advantages 

Playing in the UEFA Champions League is already competing at the highest level, and reaching the semifinals is a very significant achievement. 

• If a mid-table club in the top five European leagues manages, or a club that belongs to a league other than the lower coefficients in the UEFA European leagues ranking, reaching this level can also provide valuable experience for the team and contribute to their reputation.
• Reaching the semifinals demonstrates a lot about the team. It means they were able to overcome the best clubs in Europe and reach the knockout stage.
• If looked at from a monetary point of view, the UCL semifinalists receive a prize money of €15 million that helps the teams to look forward to their future. The Champions League also draws more marketing or TV ratings.

UEFA prize money distribution (as of 31 Jan):

7⃣3⃣% to UCL clubs (€2.14 billion)
1⃣8⃣% to UEL clubs (€528 million)
9⃣% to UECL clubs (€265 million) pic.twitter.com/anllbpFPQK

— Football Meets Data (@fmeetsdata) January 31, 2025

Disadvantages 

Losing at this stage can be disappointing, especially if the team had induced high hopes of winning the tournament. For example, Ajax in the 2018-19 UCL claimed attention in the best possible way, beating defending champions Real Madrid on the way, but crashed out of the semi-finals.

• If a team loses in the semifinals without winning anything in the domestic league, it will be considered a disastrous trophyless season. Very few people would be impressed by a club simply for reaching the semifinals.
• On the contrary, a semi-final defeat can disrupt a team's momentum, potentially affecting their performance in domestic competitions.
• This also may lead to a massive exodus of players from the club, especially if the club is not an European powerhouse already. The top European players will go after the players who performed well for the team, leading to the dismantling of the core group, making it harder to repeat the feat in the future continental competitions. 

Winning the UEFA Europa League: Pros and Cons

Advantages 

For most of the clubs, winning a silverware is a huge achievement. Winning the Europa League has its own advantages, considering that most of the mid-table or apparently mediocre clubs compete in this tournament.

• Winning the Europa League guarantees a continental silverware, which is always better than a trophy-less season. It also ensures a direct qualification in the next season's Champions League.
• The winners of the Europa League also meet the Champions League winners in a season-end competition, called the UEFA Super Cup, which presents another opportunity to clinch another silverware.
• Winning a major European trophy significantly enhances a club's global status and reputation. This success can attract sponsors, and elite players as well.

Disadvantages 

• The biggest drawback of taking part in the Europa League, particularly of winning it, is the scheduling of midweek games. This may lead to a congested fixture, resulting in fatigue among the players as well as higher injury risks. Consequently, this affects the players' performance within domestic leagues or other tournaments. The Thursday-Sunday format of the Europa League puts more pressure on players than the Tuesday-Wednesday format of the Champions League.
• Although it is a big silverware, the Europa League is usually less prestigious than the Champions League, and therefore makes it less attractive than the clubs competing in the UCL.
• Comparing to the Champions League, the Europa League offers lower prize money. This will be a downer for the clubs that are reliant on their European competition-generated revenue, more so those operating outside the major five European clubs.

The difference in prize money between 108 clubs playing UCL, UEL and UECL visualized. pic.twitter.com/T5IZwmOhsC

— Football Meets Data (@fmeetsdata) December 14, 2024

Conclusion: Which is better?

To be honest, it is subjective and depends on different contexts.

For a world-class team that can contest the Champions League, playing in the Europa League could be a disappointment or a consolation for the team, the management and mostly, for the supporters.

However, if a team has no practical hope of winning the Champions League but can contest the title for the Europa League, it would be preferable to lift the trophy instead of qualifying to the semi-finals.

In conclusion, the Champions League semi-final defeat is an indicator of greater competition and ability, while the Europa League win is a concrete victory. So, we can say that there is no definite 'better' result between these two. 

Hello and welcome to another LIVE coverage of European football. Tonight, we will bring you all the live updates, news, and live scores of the UEFA Europa League 2024-25 Round of 16 First Leg face-off between Real Sociedad and Manchester United at the Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastián, Spain.

Real Sociedad advanced to the RO16 by thrashing FC Midtjylland 7-3 over two legs in the Europa League play-offs. Manchester United, on the contrary, are the only team that finished unbeaten in the league phase, positioned third on the leaderboard with 18 points in 8 matches.

Both teams are about to go against each other in an important match of the European campaign, setting up a fierce encounter. So, sit back and relax as Swastik Debnath and Soumit Bhattacharya get you the buildup, news, images, live scores, news, and updates of the Real Sociedad vs Manchester United match from our webdesk.

Moreover, you can follow us on Twitter for all the updates. Join our Telegram and WhatsApp channels to get all the news and scorelines.

Don't forget to refresh the page for latest updates. Enjoy the coverage!

Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Benfica, Club Brugge, Feyenoord, PSG, PSV and Real Madrid qualified for the Round of 16 from the UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Knockout phase play-offs.

Real Madrid thrashed Manchester City by 3-1, PSV stunned Juventus with the same scoreline while PSG scored 7 times against Brest and Bayern Munich played out a 1-1 draw against Celtic in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Knockout phase play-offs.

Read Also |  2024-25 UEFA Champions League round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final draw: Where is it, when is it, and teams' pairings?

UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Knockout phase play-offs Round-Up

Milan 1-1 Feyenoord (agg: 1-2)

Italian football giants and one of the most successful teams in UEFA Champions League history AC Milan were knocked out of this season's tournament after Dutch club Feyenoord defeated them by 1-2 on aggregate. 

Feyenoord were leading by 1-0 after the first leg and then they ensured a 1-1 draw to progress to the round of 16 for the first time in their history. 

Santiago Giménez scored early for Milan but against a 10-men Milan side Julián Carranza came off the bench to seal an equaliser with a stunning header. 

Benfica 3-3 Monaco (agg: 4-3)

Orkun Kökçü scored a late winner for Benfica to progress to the next round after beating Monaco by 4-3 on aggregate. 

Kerem Aktürkoğlu gave Benfica the early edge only to see Takumi Minamino and Eliesse Ben Seghir put Monaco back on level terms. 

Vangelis Pavlidis then gave Benfica the lead but George Ilenikhena levelled things again. Kokcu then sealed the winner for Benfica with a later goal.

Atalanta 1-3 Club Brugge (agg: 2-5)

Chemsdine Talbi's brace and Ferran Jutglà's stunning long-range goal took Club Brugge to the round of 16 with ease. 

Ademola Lookman scored the lone goal for Atalanta. However, he also saw one penalty saved by Simon Mignolet as well. 

Bayern Munich 1-1 Celtic (agg: 3-2) 

Bayern Munich narrowly passed the Celtic test with a late goal from Alphonso Davies. Nicolas Kuhn scored the goal for Celtic in the one-hour mark and when they were nearly close to taking Bayern Munich to extra time, Davies took the German Champions home.

B. Dortmund 0-0 Sporting CP (agg: 3-0)

Despite a goalless draw at their home, Borussia Dortmund went past their Portuguese visitors with ease, after a solid 3-0 lead from the first leg. 

In the second leg, Rui Silva was the hero for the Portuguese team who made multiple saves to deny the Dortmund players. 

Paris 7-0 Brest (agg: 10-0)

PSG thrashed their Ligue 1 opponent Brest via a 7-0 victory in the second leg to manage a 10-0 win on aggregate. 

PSG became the first team to have seven different scorers in a single match. Bradley Barcola, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Vitinha, Désiré Doué, Nuno Mendes, Gonçalo Ramos and Senny Mayulu scored for the French giants.

PSV 3-1 Juventus, aet (agg: 4-3)

🚨🇪🇺 GOAL | PSV 3-1 Juventus | Ryan Flamingo

RYAN FLAMINGO MAKES IT THREE FOR PSV IN THE 98TH MINUTE OF OVERTIME !!!!!!!!!!!!! 4-3 ON AGGREGATE !!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/n9Y0TXCmmo

— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) February 19, 2025

PSV stunned the Italian giants to qualify for the round of 16. This is their first Champions League knockout win since 2007. 

Ryan Flamingo scored an extra-time goal to nullify Timothy Weah's stunning goal. 

Ivan Perisic and Ismael Saibari scored the other two goals for the Dutch club.

Real Madrid 3-1 Man City (agg: 6-3)

Real Madrid proved why they are the 15 times Champions League winner as they eased past a struggling Manchester City to reach the Round of 16. 

Kylian Mbappe scored a stunning hat-trick to take the defending champions to the next round in front of their home crowd. Nico González scored a late consolation goal for City. 

The 2025 January football transfer window has brought excitement and surprises as clubs across Europe's top five leagues, Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1, reshaped their squads for the second half of the season.

With blockbuster deals, unexpected moves, and emerging talents switching clubs, the window has kept fans and analysts on their toes. Here is the list of all major transfers in Europe's top five leagues.

Transfers

 Key Transfers:

1. Omar Marmoush to Manchester City:

Manchester City secured the signing of the Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial fee of 75 million. The Egyptian international has been in exceptional form. 

At the age of 25 his goal-scoring record is unbelievable, scored 15 goals in just 17 matches for Frankfurt.

Our #7 🇪🇬🩵 pic.twitter.com/qwWDRpeIFz

— Manchester City US (@ManCityUS) January 23, 2025

 His Versatility allows him to play both as a winger and a forward. Marmoush has the ability which Pep Guardiola's team lacks most this season. Given his recent performances and the potential impact, he can have on the team's success, the investment in Marmoush appears justified.

Read Also | Omar Marmoush: Europe's biggest club is after new "Mo Salah" | Who is he?

2. Abdukodir Khusanov to Manchester City: 

The young Uzbek defender has become the first signing of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in the 2025 January transfer window.

Several City defenders have struggled for from and some of them picking up injuries regularly. The defending PL champions aim to bolster and reshape their defense after signing Khusanov from RC Lens. His physical presence, durability, and technique justify the 40 million price tag.

We're delighted to announce the signing of Abdukodir Khusanov 🩵 pic.twitter.com/ltXMbzm3TK

— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 20, 2025

3. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint Germain:

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's 70 million price tag is justified as he brings explosive talent, creativity, and key players to Paris Saint-Germain's attacking line-up. 

A proven dribbler and goal-creator, The Georgian international is vital for breaking defenses. He played a crucial role in Napoli's Serie A-winning 2022-23 season. At 23, his potential and ability to balance the squad make him a long-term investment and Key to PSG's ambitions.

Paris Saint-Germain is thrilled to welcome Khvicha Kvaratskhelia! The 23-year-old winger, set to wear the iconic number 7, becomes the first Georgian player in the club’s history.#WelcomeKvara ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/K9mKyxK9vT

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 17, 2025

4. Randal Kolo Muani to Juventus

⚪️⚫️🤝🏻 Official, confirmed. Randal Kolo Muani signs in at Juventus on loan deal from PSG.

€1m loan fee, €2m add-ons and €2.6m extra costs confirmed by Juventus. pic.twitter.com/YS7RR5VsX8

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 23, 2025

Randal Kolo Muani's pace, versatility, and passing made him a perfect fit for Juventus. His ability to stretch defenses, link up with teammates, and adapt to formation complements Thiago Motta's system.

At 25, the French man brings energy, work rate, and tactical intelligence, making him a key player in Juve's attack and their push for success on his loan spell for the Italian giants.

5. Kyle Walker to AC Milan

🚨🔴⚫️ AC Milan have agreed deal to sign Kyle Walker from Man City, here we go!

Loan move with buy option clause not mandatory, salary covered by AC Milan with contract agreed.

Travel and medical being planned.

Manchester City’s captain ready for new chapter. pic.twitter.com/zmhZEj0Clv

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 22, 2025

Kyle Walker would bring experience, pace, and defensive solidity to AC Milan on his loan spell. The English international's international overlapping runs, ability to recover defensively, and leadership fit perfectly into Sergio Conceicao's system, providing balance to their backline.

With his Champions League experience and tactical adaptability, the 34-year-old would strengthen Milan's defense and enhance their push for domestic and European success.

6. Vitor Reis to Manchester City

🚨🔵 EXCLUSIVE: Vitor Reis to Manchester City, here we go! 🇧🇷

Verbal agreement reached right now with Palmeiras on package under €40m fee... and City want it to be IMMEDIATE transfer!

Vitor Reis, set for medical and contract signing as soon as clubs will check all documents. pic.twitter.com/ovLIrSFyDj

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 13, 2025

Manchester City's 37 million investment in Vitor Reis from Palmeiras highlights their focus on securing top young talent. The Brazilian possesses exceptional technical ability, versatility, and defensive intelligence traits highly in Pep Guardiola's system.

Read Also | Manchester City signs Vitor Reis: Can he fix City's defensive struggles?

The 19-year-old Brazilian offers dynamism and defensive stability. His Brazilian flair combined with tactical maturity, aligns with City's philosophy of developing the future stars.