Klopp’s title dream is alive
Four goals in 14 minutes: Liverpool storms into the EL quarter-finals
March 14, 2024, 11:28 p.m
As in the first leg, almost the same in the second leg: With a clear 6-1 win against Sparta Prague, Jürgen Klopp and his Liverpool FC move into the quarter-finals of the Europa League. His team set the course for clear success early on.
Team manager Jürgen Klopp can still hope for an international title as a farewell gift in his final season at Liverpool FC. After the clear first leg win (5:1), the Reds overran the Czech champions Sparta Prague in the second duel at Anfield Road and moved into the quarter-finals of the Europa League with a confident 6:1 (4:1).
With a lightning start and four goals in the first 14 minutes, Liverpool dispelled any remaining doubts about progress early on. Darwin Nunez (7th), Bobby Clark (8th), Mohamed Salah (10th) and Cody Gakpo (14th) scored before the break, Dominik Szoboszlai (48th) and Gakpo again (55th) increased the score in the second half . Veljko Birmancevic (42nd) scored the consolation goal for the Czechs with no chance.
Klopp, who led Liverpool to the Champions League title in 2019, is still on course for the quadruple. Liverpool are in second place in the English Premier League title race, and the Reds have reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and have already won the League Cup.
Roger Schmidt also continued
Coach Roger Schmidt and Benfica Lisbon also reached the round of the last eight teams. Portugal’s record champions can therefore continue to hope for the end of the international “title curse” after 62 years. Benfica beat Glasgow Rangers 1-0 (0-0), the first leg had ended 2-2.
With the rested Malick Thiaw on the bench, nine-time European Cup winners AC Milan easily reached the quarter-finals after a 3-1 (3-0) win at Slavia Prague. The three-time national player, who was not considered for the upcoming international matches by national coach Julian Nagelsmann, had recently been out injured for a long time.
Olympique Marseille is also in the quarter-finals despite a 1:3 (0:1) draw at FC Villarreal (first leg 4:0). AS Roma made it into the next round despite the 0-1 (0-1) draw at Brighton & Hove Albion (first leg 4-0). After the 1-1 draw in the first leg, Atalanta Bergamo won the second duel with Sporting Lisbon 2-1 (0-1). The quarter-finals will take place on April 11th and 18th, with the draw taking place on Friday in Nyon.