End of the Europa League 2018-19: when is it, where and possible teams

Baku National Stadium

The Europa League faces the semifinals with a single Spanish team as a candidate for the title as is Valencia after the eliminations of Sevilla, Real Betis and Villarreal.

Semifinals

The tournament is already in the semifinal round with direct round-the-clock heats. The crosses are:

May 2: Arsenal - Valencia (3-1 for the Gunners in London, one way)

May 2: Eintracht - Chelsea (1-1 in Germany, one way)

May 9: semifinals, second leg

The final is played this season at the Olympic Stadium, Baku , the capital of Azerbaijan, on Wednesday, May 29 . The stadium is one of the most modern in Eastern Europe, was inaugurated in 2015 and has a capacity of 69,700 spectators.

Jamie Vardy confesses that it was easy to dismiss Arsenal

The striker Leicester , Jamie Vardy has made ​​stressed that rejecting the offer of Arsenal was an "easy" for him, insisting on the transfer decision was never fully at the table.

It was believed that the England international was close to joining Arsenal after his buyout clause triggered, but finally signed a new contract with Leicester .

The 29 - year-old is reflected in his decision to stay and is convinced that his stay with the champions of the Premier League was an easy decision to make at the end.

"[Reject Arsenal] was not so great when I think about it. It was quite easy and this is where I want to be," he told Sky Sports Vardy.

"I was out with England so [the signing with Arsenal was not close]. No [I did not talk to them.]

"There are a lot of outstanding issues here. I feel the club is only going in one direction and that is forward, it is why I want to be part of it".

Vardy also expects Riyad Mahrez , which has been strongly linked with a move this summer, follow his footsteps and stay in the stadium King Power.

"I think everyone on the team they want here, playing with us," said Vardy.

Jeison Murillo to Arsenal

Although seasonal his shot was not the best, Jeison Murillo has become one of the most sought central defenders in the continent.

During the month it has spread the rumor that Inter want to use the Colombian to square box, because their finances are in trouble and are in the man of the Tricolor as a small gold mine.

Leicester , Stoke City and the powerful Russian Zenit have expressed interest in the caleño fullback, but on Monday it was learned that one of the biggest in the Premier and Europe would also be following his talent.

According to the British press, Murillo is intended by the Arsenal team that would be willing to pay about 25 million euros for the coffee to bolster their lagging behind for the next season when the Gunners aims to re-appear in the close - ups of the old continent.

Jeison Murillo, 24, joined Inter in the summer of 2015 in a transfer of 8 million Euros.

Arsenal record Swiss Granit Xhaka for the next five seasons

Arsenal announced Wednesday the signing of Swiss international midfielder Granit Xhaka , from Borussia Monchengladbach for the next five seasons.

Xhaka, 23, arrives in London for about 35 million pounds (46 million euros) with weekly estimated 110,000 pounds (144,000 euros) contract.

"I am very proud to sign for a club like Arsenal," said the Swiss, who leaves Mönchengladbach captain, in a statement to the website of the English club.

"I'm looking forward to London, to represent this special team and play in the Premier League . I will give everything to help Arsenal to win titles and make the fans are happy , " he added.

Xhaka arrived in the British capital last week, passed the medical examination and clothing posed with Arsenal for next season in the sports city of Colney, north of London.

"We take watching for a long time and believe it is a player who will give great quality to our squad. We wish Granit a good Euro 2016 with Switzerland and we look forward to welcoming Arsenal , " said the coach 'gunner', French Arsene Wenger .

"Granit is a very exciting young player with a lot of experience in the Champions League and the Bundesliga , " Wenger said.

Xhaka, international 41 times with the national team of Switzerland, with which contest the European Championship next summer (June 10-July 10), came to Mönchengladbach in 2012 from the Basel, club in which it formed.

The Swiss midfielder, author of six goals in 108 matches in the Bundesliga, has become the first signing of Arsenal ahead of the 2016/2017 season.

Arsenal fans also deride a beggar with disabilities in Barcelona

Hundreds of English fans who were present in the Barcelona-Arsenal match misted, like days before the PSV fans, the image of football. The image of the day has again demonstrated the rudeness of many of these "hooligans" .

As was seen in Madrid for Dutch fans of PSV Eindhoven taunting of a Romanian indigents in the Plaza Mayor, yesterday fujeron fans "gunners" who followed with what appears to be an embarrassing "fashion" among radical supporters of some European clubs. Several of these "hooligans" drunk, they have returned to humiliate a beggar with physical disabilities who was asking on the terraces where they "warmed engines" based beers.

For his part, director of PSV Eindhoven, Toon Gerbrands , disassociated Wednesday "totally" the club of "unpleasant" incidents that starred in Madrid Dutch fans when they taunted and humiliated a group of Romanian destitute women, and said it will take appropriate measures.

In a brief statement posted on the website of PSV, Gerbrands stressed that the attitude of these fans "do not correspond with the values" that promotes the Dutch club .

The manager said that the PSV "make every effort" to identify these people and when you find them , "will have a big problem." "PSV will take appropriate measures", among which may include 'the prohibition of access "to the stadium" or tougher sanctions , "he stressed. "I would like to state that we want nothing to do with these people. Not belong to our club as home, "Gerbrands said.

Paris Saint Germain, Juventus and Arsenal, major threats

Paris Saint Germain, Juventus and Arsenal burst as major threats in the knockout stages of the Champions League, which will be defined Monday after the draw in Nyon (Switzerland) .

The potential of French and Italian champions and competitiveness and the campus of Londoners make the shortlist for the opponents to avoid those considered top seeds, who were champions of their respective quartets in the group stage.

This is the case of the three Spanish teams, Barcelona, ​​Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, which form part of the first drum of the drawing. Spanish is the same as the English most massive representation, with Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal said. But only the picture of Jose Mourinho and Manuel Pellegrini contemplate the stage as group winners.

The draw, which will determine the sign of the second round, will be led. They may not match teams from the same country or even two teams that have been part of the same group in the previous phase.

So, Real Madrid, for example, may not meet again with Paris Saint Germain, one of the strongest teams. Barcelona may not coincide with the Roma, Atletico Madrid and Benfica.

Also, on this occasion, and by a decision of the Executive Committee of UEFA, teams of Russia and Ukraine can not be measured among them. In this case both the Zenit St. Petersburg and Dynamo Kiev, facing the draw as runners.

In addition, winners in the group stage will play the first leg away knockout 16/17 and 23/24 February and the return in their stadium on 8/9 and 15/16 March.

Spain and England, with three teams each, have the most substantial representation. Germany, meanwhile, has two teams, Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg. Like Italy, with Juventus and Roma.

The poster with a French team, Paris Saint Germain, a Dutch PSV Eindhoven, a Portuguese Benfica, a Belgian Ghent, a Russian Zenit St. Petersburg and a Ukrainian, Dynamo Kiev is completed.

Pot 1 is made by Real Madrid (ESP), Wolfsburg (GER), Atletico Madrid (ESP), Manchester City (ENG), Barcelona (ESP), Bayern Munich (GER), Chelsea (ENG) and Zenit St. Petersburg ( RUS).

Pot 2 Paris Saint Germain (FRA), PSV Eindhoven (NED), Benfica (POR), Juventus (ITA), Rome (ITA), Arsenal (ENG), Dinamo Kiev (UKR) and Ghent (BEL.

The winners of the heats will qualify for the quarterfinals and will be part of a pure draw, without conditions, to be held on March 18. The semifinals will be on April 15. 

Alexis Sanchez: "I hope to do what I like"

Striker  Alexis Sanchez  was in Chile these days, recovering from his injured hamstring. Until Friday, little or nothing was known of the possible return to the national courts. However, the coach of Arsenal Arsene Wenger , said the tocopillano could play again, on 21 December in the match against Manchester City Manuel Pellegrini.

It should be remembered that the national team was injured last November 29 at Norwich City, lighting alarms in the London box and Saturday after trying their muscle problems in the Juan Pinto Duran Complex, under the watchful eye of physiotherapist José Amador, he wrote a message through social networking thanking all those who were with him in his recovery.

"I want to thank these people who looked after me during my stay in Chile ... Chefs ... props and Physiotherapists Thanks .. I hope to do what I like," he said on his Instagram account.

Quiero agradecer a estas personas que me cuidaron durante mi estadía en Chile ... Cocineros ... Útileros y Fisioterapeutas ⚽️ Muchas gracias .. Espero volver a hacer lo que más me gusta ⚽️😀

A photo posted by Alexis Sanchez (@alexis_officia1) on Dec 12, 2015 at 3:29pm PST

Champions League: Chelsea and Arsenal will be in 8th, Gent also

Chelsea, Arsenal, AS Roma, Dynamo Kyiv and AA Gent, for the first time in its history Wednesday took the last tickets for the 8th finals of the Champions League at the end of the last day the group stage.

Overview of forces before drawing final fate on Monday 8th, played in February and March, which oppose the first groups, which have the advantage of receiving the return leg, the second (knowing that two clubs chicken or even a federation can not meet).

Three favorites

Barcelona, ​​Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, the first of their groups, have monopolised five of the last seven C1 and are still shaking the football Europe.

Barca, the momentum of its tripled in 2014-2015 (C1, Liga Cup), administered several monumental beatings (4-0 against Real Madrid in the league, 6-1 against Roma C1). Licked his possession game, his trident MSN (Messi, Suarez, Neymar) and the reinforcement of Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal make it a must favorite.

Bayern, he thrives on almost 3 goals per game on average, driven by the constant goals of Müller-duo Lewandowski and good adaptation of Douglas Costa. The German club and Guardiola are hungry for revenge after two failures in the last four.

Real has certainly lost some of its luster under Rafael Benitez, deemed defensive game between accumulation and squabbles of all kinds. But with such Cristiano Ronaldo, author of a new record of 11 goals in the group stage, the Spanish club can claim his "undecima (11th C1).

Accustomed to go

Atletico Madrid, the 2014 finalist, finished at Benfica in a little tough group. The combativeness of the band at Diego Simeone and his hermetic (140 goals conceded in 21 games this season) are always a formidable opponent, with Griezmann unleashed.

Manchester City is extracted from the top of a spicier chicken and will seek its first historic quarter of C1. Much will depend of Aguero, striker often injured. But at least the Citizens do not they meet Barca, their tormentor in 8th last two seasons.

Chelsea, in total dormant in the league, played Wednesday its season and Jose Mourinho perhaps his head. The Blues managed to beat Porto (2-0) and finish top of Group G. Sortis from the eighth last season, they will have to raise their level, singularly Hazard and Diego Costa, hoping to find the quarters.

Second but mighty

Juventus, finalist 2015 season started badly but recovers the bar, like Pogba. His defeat in Seville Tuesday (1-0) was however relegated to 2nd place. The Old Lady does not pay this fake 8th?

PSG - Ibrahimovic makes a close-season perfection in France but failed to overtake Real in his group, bowing 1-0 to Madrid, albeit against the run of play. After three failures quarters, Paris, which plays its season on the C1, seems better armed. But it will have to go.

Arsenal was hot but thanks to a tripling of Giroud Wednesday on the ground of Olympiakos (3-0) will be present in 8th for the 16th time in a row. It is at this stage that the Gunners were eliminated in the last five seasons ...

Surprises and outsiders

Zenit St. Petersburg finished first in its group and grazed the full house, beaten Wednesday by AA Gent (2-1). A dangerous Russian team with his attackers Hulk and Dzyuba (6 goals).

Wolfsburg and PSV have less scope than other clubs but still donated Manchester United in the Europa League. The Germans will see for the first time the 8th of C1, the Dutch no longer had played since 2007.

Roma trembled to the end, unable to beat BATE Borisov (0-0), but taking advantage of zero between Leverkusen and Barcelona (1-1). Italians suffer from poor defense.

Benfica, more comfortable than in C1, C3, may be considered by the first group as an excellent draw, as Gent, Tom Thumb who made the lunch in Lyon and Valence. Or Dynamo Kiev.

Results of the group stage of the 2015/2016 edition of the Champions League. The first two of each group are qualified in 8th finals, the third will play the Europa League.

The draw of the eighth finals played out in February and March Monday oppose the first groups, which have the advantage of receiving in the second leg, to the second. Two clubs from the same group or federation can meet.

The first group:  Real Madrid (ESP), Wolfsburg (GER), Atletico Madrid (ESP), Manchester City (ENG), FC Barcelona (ESP), Bayern Munich (GER), Chelsea (ENG), Zenit St Petersburg (RUS)

The second group: Paris SG (FRA) PSV Eindhoven (NED), Benfica (POR), Juventus (ITA), AS Roma (ITA), Arsenal (ENG), Dynamo Kiev (UKR), Gent (BEL)

The third group, donated C3: Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR), Manchester United (ENG), Galatasaray (TUR), Sevilla (ESP), Leverkusen (GER), Olympiakos (GRE), FC Porto (POR), Valencia CF (ESP)

The last group eliminated: Malmö FF (SWE), CSKA Moscow (RUS), Astana (KAZ), Mönchengladbach (GER), BATE Borisov (BLR), Dinamo Zagreb (CRO), Maccabi Tel Aviv (ISR), Lyon (FRA)

Champions League: the "hat-trick" of Giroud fills the impossible mission of Arsenal

The mission was almost impossible, Arsenal was true: thanks to a hat-trick from striker shaped Olivier Giroud, the Gunners have managed to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, by winning on Wednesday Lawn Olympiakos (3-0).

Obliged to win by two clear goals, or if they only marked at least three times during a final round of Group F in the final paces, Londoners finally managed to reverse a situation that seemed insurmountable.

Better, the incredible record of 16 consecutive qualifications in the 2nd round of the flagship event on the European scene, holding both "heart" in Arsene Wenger, has been reached.

Defeated 3-2 at home in the first leg against the Greeks, Wenger's men have finally taken their revenge in Piraeus to finish in 2nd place in Group F (9 pts), while Olympiakos is donated in the Europa League. And they can thank their striker Olivier Giroud, author of a "hat trick" decisive.

"It's fantastic for me and the team. We are really happy. It's great to qualify because we were not in a good position and finally we managed to do it. It was not so easy in this stage with this atmosphere, we are very glad we did, "said Giroud, after the meeting.

Traumatised by Leonardo Jardim last season, who defeated Arsenal in the second round of C1 with Monaco, Arsenal has managed this time to avoid the trap of tactical Portuguese coach Marco Silva by not throwing himself immediately in risky offensive.

Without their best ammunition, with Coquelin absences, Cazorla, and especially his fire-o'Sanchez, the Gunners favorite and left the ball to the Greeks.

To dynamite the opposing bloc, Wenger has trusted Walcott and Campbell, who was loaned one to Olympiakos in 2013-2014, to support her man like Olivier Giroud. A more than successful bet.

- Giroud off the volcano of Piraeus -

Because after a very difficult first quarter, dominated by Greeks without complex image Masuaku is attacking the Blues who showed the way.

Originally raid Campbell, who served perfectly behind Flamini, author of a strike repelled by the crossbar (25th), Giroud opened the scoring less than five minutes later.

On a central Ramsey, the former Montpellier headed in a strike, to deceive, also guilty of was a mistake (29th).

After a big scare his staff writhing alone ankle, from the restart, Giroud sprang from nowhere to double down with an impressive work of the former Lorient Campbell (49th).

While Cech managed to keep a clean sheet in a decisive judgment before Fortounis (58th), Giroud was digging the score on penalty the hour (67th) to definitively validate the ticket Arsenal in eighth and score his fifth goal C1 this season.

And finally extinguish the volcano Karaiskaki, who has never seen his players able to ignite the match to qualify the club of Piraeus, largely dominating the championship in his C1 to return next season.

Arsenal does not give up and insisted on hiring Benzema

Real Madrid opens the door to a possible way out front if the English side reached 65 million euros.

 The Arsenal could be closer to signing Karim Benzema , Real Madrid now seems willing to accept the departure of French if you come to the correct numbers for his transfer, according to a report in the Daily Mirror .

The report suggests that Arsenal would have to pay a figure close to 65 million euros to get to the front, and states that the 'soap opera' threatens to lengthen until the deadline of the transfer market. A very similar situation to which it did in 2013 with Mesut Özil. White front not clear his role on the team and might be willing to jump to the Premier to get more prominence. Although his relationship with Cristiano has always been good, live in the shadow of the Portuguese is not easy.

The absence of Benzema, though significant, may not be as noticeable as it would open the door to use to Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale front. The good feeling targeted by Jesse in the preseason, also could have affected this change of mind in the offices of the club.

Rafa Benitez has tried to play with Gareth Bale in the middle with good results and it is believed that Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez , is hoping that the Welsh succeed and silenced the critics. A greater role for Bale playing in the middle could be the solution that both seek.

That report states that Madrid can switch to a more typical Spanish training technician, 4-4-2, with Ronaldo and Bale as the two points of attack and a lot of creative midfielders behind them to provide balls. This drawing would be very similar to that used in the field several times by Carlo Ancelotti with mixed results.