The Europa League is reaching its latter stages and Thursday evening offered a further hint as to which teams will likely compete for the trophy.
A number of European heavyweights still remain at the last-16 stage, although some dark horses have emerged from the first round of the knockout stages.
It is a competition often more difficult to predict than the Champions League. This year, in particular, the quality appears to have risen.
But there are teams beginning to make statements, beginning to establish themselves as unquestionable contenders.
Arsenal
It had appeared Arsenal’s progression to the last-16 would be comfortable. A 3-0 victory in the first-leg against Östersunds FK put them in control at the Emirates.
But they weren’t in control. They fell two goals behind in the first-half and for a moment a humiliating collapse felt possible. It was unconvincing and indicative of a lack of confidence amongst Arsenal’s players.
Credit must go to their opposition, too. Graham Potter’s Swedish minnows were impressive and capitalised on the hosts’ complacency. The attention now, though, will be on Arsenal. They will remain amongst the favourites for the Europa League title, but will need a significant improvement on this display.
It was perhaps evidence that Arsenal will need to field a stronger team in the coming rounds. Games in the knockout stages, in the words of Arsene Wenger, are “not a formality”.
Certainly, AC Milan, who the Gunners will meet in the next round, will represent a tougher test.
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone’s side are arguably the strongest remaining in the competition. They have hit an imperious run of form in La Liga and comfortably disposed of FC Copenhagen over two legs.
With a defence that is typically impermeable and an attack that has been boosted by the arrival of Diego Costa, Atletico look increasingly balanced. Kevin Gameiro has performed well in the Europa League and his movement helps key man Antoine Griezmann.
Atletico have European pedigree, too. They have twice reached the Champions League final in recent years, losing to city rivals Real Madrid on both occasions. It was a shock when they exited at the first hurdle this campaign and a sense of trepidation from those clubs in the Europa League foreseeing a meeting with the Spaniards.
Lokomotiv Moscow are the unlucky side to have drawn Atletico in the last-16. The Russian outfit are top of their division and saw off Nice with relatively few scares. But they will be underdogs over two legs against Los Colchoneros.
Lazio
Fewer teams in Europe have been more prolific than Lazio this season. Simone Inzaghi’s expansive side, who have been drawn against Dinamo Kiev in the last-16, have found the net 61 times in Serie A and have been equally impressive in the Europa League.
Thursday night’s 5-1 demolition of Steaua Bucharest was not a surprise to most who have watched Lazio with any regularity this campaign. Nor was it a shock to see Ciro Immobile adding another three goals to his tally.
He has found the net 31 times in 31 games in all competitions and is part of a formidable offensive unit. Dinamo will be aware, however, that they can be exploited defensively.
RB Leipzig
Any side that eliminates Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli must be considered contenders. Ralph Hasenhüttl’s RB Leipzig did just that on Thursday evening, progressing on away goals after a nervy finish in Germany.
Admittedly, Napoli appear to have prioritised the Scudetto this season. But Leipzig’s achievement should not be dampened. After finishing second in the Bundesliga last season they have once again competed at the top of the division and remain in the fight for the Champions League spots.
In Timo Werner, they boast one of the most promising young forwards in Europe. Like Lazio, though, Leipzig have defensive vulnerabilities. Zenit St Petersburg, who they face in the next round, could prove a difficult challenge.
Lyon
The Ligue 1 outfit are another with enviable firepower. They overcame Villarreal 4-1 on aggregate in the last-32, a fairly convincing victory against difficult opposition, and face CSKA Moscow in the last-16.
Lyon have fallen off the pace somewhat domestically, trailing behind Monaco and Marseille in second and third respectively. But in the Europa League they have been impressive. It could be that coach Bruno Génésio looks to prioritise the competition given the gap that is beginning to emerge in Ligue 1.
They are by no means polished, not the finished article. But the form of Nabil Fekir and the re-emergence of Memphis Depay could help them challenge.
Borussia Dortmund
After Peter Bosz’s disastrous tenure at the start of this season, Peter Stöger has steadied things at Borussia Dortmund. They have returned to second in the Bundesliga standings and came through a tricky tie against Atalanta to progress into the Europa League’s last-16.
This is by no means the most free-flowing of Dortmund sides: Stöger has instilled a functionality that has led to an upturn in results. But they possess enviable talent. A fit again Marco Reus could be key to their chances, and they will need the likes of Mario Götze and Michy Batshuayi to be in form.
The disappointment of the Champions League group stages would be forgotten if they succeed in the Europa League. They will be considered favourites in their last-16 tie against FC Salzburg.
