UEFA Europa League Playoff Matches Announced
The UEFA Europa League playoff round is underway this week, with return leg matches set to determine which teams will advance to the Round of 16. This new playoff format, introduced for the first time, features two-legged ties acting as a preliminary knockout round before the main knockout stages begin.
Here are the return leg fixtures for the Europa League playoff round:
Thursday, February 20:
- Ajax vs Union Saint-Gilloise
- Real Sociedad vs Midtjylland
- Viktoria Plzen vs Ferencváros
- Anderlecht vs Fenerbahçe
- FCSB vs PAOK
- Galatasaray vs AZ Alkmaar
- Roma vs Porto
- Bodo/Glimt vs Twente
Results from the first leg matches played on Thursday, February 13:
- Union Saint-Gilloise 0-2 Ajax
- Midtjylland 1-2 Real Sociedad
- Ferencváros 1-0 Viktoria Plzen
- Fenerbahçe 3-0 Anderlecht
- PAOK 1-2 FCSB
- AZ Alkmaar 4-1 Galatasaray
- Porto 1-1 Roma
- Twente 2-1 Bodo/Glimt
Several teams have gained advantages heading into the second leg, including Real Sociedad with their 2-1 away win over Midtjylland. Fenerbahçe secured a commanding 3-0 victory against Anderlecht, while AZ Alkmaar surprised Galatasaray with a convincing 4-1 win. Ajax, Twente, Ferencváros, and FCSB also earned first-leg victories, while Porto and Roma played to a 1-1 draw in the only tied result of the opening matches.