Barcelona’s January signings shone as a 4-2 win at Napoli booked their place in the Europa League last 16, while Rangers held off a Borussia Dortmund fightback to progress after a 2-2 draw in Glasgow.
Rangers stunned Borussia Dortmund 4-2 in the Europa League on Thursday while Barcelona had to come from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Napoli in their play-off first leg tie.
Joan Laporta claimed Barcelona are “back as big players” but Thursday will mark another checkpoint in the club’s decline as they face Napoli in the knock-out stage of the Europa League.
Tottenham manager Antonio Conte described UEFA’s decision throw his side out of the Europa Conference League as “incredible” and suggested Spurs will launch an appeal through the courts.
Barcelona will face Napoli in the Europa League knockout round play-off stage after the Catalan giants crashed out in the Champions League group stage for the first time since the 2000-01 season.
Napoli sent Leicester City crashing out of the Europa League as the Italian side advanced to the knockout stages with a 3-2 win in a dramatic conclusion to Group C on Thursday.
Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed seven players and three staff members have not travelled to Italy for Thursday’s Europa League tie against Napoli.
West Ham United waltzed into the last 16 of the Europa League with a game to spare after a 2-0 victory against Rapid Vienna at the Allianz Stadion in Wien on Thursday evening.
West Ham United took control of Group H in the Europa League thanks to Thursday’s 3-0 home win over Genk.
Harry Kane said his hat-trick from the bench in Tottenham’s 5-1 Europa Conference League win over NS Mura came as a bonus.