After the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, it was time for the Europa League play-offs on Thursday. The Malian international Adama Traoré did well to give his club, Sheriff Tiraspol, a victory. Barca were held to a draw at home by Napoli, while Dortmund were beaten by Rangers at home.
Sixteen teams are in the running for the Europa League play-offs. Only eight teams will be able to play in the last 16 of the competition. And Barça are off to a bad start. The Catalans were held 1-1 at home by Napoli. The Neapolitans took the lead in the 29th minute thanks to a goal from Zielinski. However, Barça equalized in the 59th minute when Ferran Torres converted a penalty.
Dortmund also had a bad night. The German team was surprised at home by Rangers (4-2). Halland's team-mates will have to bounce back in the second leg if they are to have any hope of reaching the last eight of the Europa League. Sheriff Tiraspol, meanwhile, beat Braga 2-0 thanks to Malian international Adama Traore. The Eagles midfielder scored his club's second goal in the 82nd minute. The Moldovan side thus achieved a good result on their home turf.
Real Betis won at Zenit St Petersburg (2-3) while RB Leipzig drew 2-2 at home. Real Sociedad came close to beating the German side, however. The Spanish club took the lead in the eighth minute. Leipzig managed to equalize in the 30th minute but conceded a second goal in the 64th from the penalty spot. The German club equalized in the 82nd minute and settled for a draw (2-2). FC Porto, on the other hand, won 2-1 against Lazio. Atalanta also beat Olympiakos by the same score line. Sevilla also beat Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb (3-1). The second leg of the Europa League play-offs is scheduled for Thursday 24 February.
