Right after the UCL quarterfinal matchups were decided, the Europa League took center stage to decide who would face whom. Without any Premier League teams in the running, six other leagues were represented in the hat.
Due to political problems between Russia and Ukraine, the teams from both countries couldn’t face each other. Zenit could not play Dynamo Kiev or Dnipro.
The Russian team was drawn first and Sevilla was chosen as their rival in the upcoming stage. The Spanish team is the defending Champion of the competition. Zenit also knows what it takes to be the king of the Europa League.
Sevilla's coach said it was a beautiful matchup on their quest to repeat as champions
.@UnaiEmery_ tras conocer el rival para 1/4 de la @EuropaLeague: Es una eliminatoria preciosa http://t.co/czBeXKQdVY pic.twitter.com/hdvHZRMRi6
— Sevilla Fútbol Club (@SevillaFC) marzo 20, 2015
Zenit wants to be back on top just like it did in 2008
AVB on the @EuropaLeague draw - "We are ready to give our all to go through" Details on our official site: http://t.co/cDgMN34f2W
— FC Zenit in English (@fczenit_en) marzo 20, 2015
Ukranian side Dnipro will be facing Club Brugge. The Belgian team remains unbeaten in the competition so it won’t be an easy matchup. Dnipro had to go into overtime to make it this far after beating Ajax.
The Belgian side showed respect for its upcoming opponent
Preud’homme: “@DniproFC, a team that eliminated @AFCAjax_EN, deserves our respect." #UELdraw pic.twitter.com/Mn2D4AI6Dl
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) marzo 20, 2015
"We must take seriously the Bruges" Markevitch
Маркевич: Надо серьезно отнестись к Брюгге http://t.co/PqxLNFw8vJ #DniproFC #fcdnipro #fcdd
— FCDNIPRO.COM (@DniproFC) marzo 20, 2015
Dynamo Kiev from Russia and Fiorentina were chosen next. The Italian team cruised their way into this stage by beating AS Roma 3-0. Kiev took care of Everton with ease in the second leg by beating them 5-2 (agg 6-4).
Fiorentina is not satisfied with making it this far
#fiorentina Dynamo Kiev in UEL quarter-finals. Montella: "They'll give us a game": Fiorentina were pitted aga... http://t.co/DvKJ7R8lgZ
— ACF Fiorentina (@acffiorentina) marzo 20, 2015
Dynamo Kiev's coach feels there is a 50-50 chance of making it past the Italian side
Dinamo Kiev, Rebrov: "Contro la Fiorentina le possibilità sono 50 e 50" http://t.co/7ClgvgvIGx #seriea #calcio
— Serie A Press (@serieapress) marzo 20, 2015
Wolfsburg will have to face another Italian team if they want to make it further into the competition. After they knocked out Inter Milan, now Napoli stands in their way to reach the semi-finals. Napoli is considered among the favorites by many to at least reach the final in Warsaw.
Napoli feels the clash against Wolfsburg will be an interesting one
#Benitez: Choque fascinante ante el Wolfsburg. Sabemos que será difícil pero confiamos en nosotros mismos y en pasar la eliminatoria
— Oficial SSC Napoli (@sscnapoliES) marzo 20, 2015
There is mutual respect among both coaches
Dieter #Hecking on #UELdraw @sscnapoli: "An attractive draw against a good team with an interenationally experienced trainer.“ #vflwolfsburg
— VfL Wolfsburg EN (@VfLWolfsburg_EN) marzo 20, 2015
All first legs will be played on April 16 and the deciding games are scheduled for April 23. Sevilla, Dnipro, Dynamo Kiev and Wolfsburg will host the first game of their respective series.