Europa League quarter-final first legs: five Africans, five major challenges

Yassine Bounou, the Red Devils' nightmare

Two years ago, in the Europa League semi-final, Yassine Bounou produced one of his best performances on the European stage. The Moroccan goalkeeper had frustrated Manchester United's entire attacking line-up. After conceding an early penalty to Bruno Fernandes, he kept Sevilla alive on several occasions with outstanding saves. The Andalusian club came from behind to win 2-1, reach the final and go on to win the competition.

Two years on, the Moroccan goalkeeper, who confirmed at the last World Cup that he is a world-class last line of defence, will almost certainly have to repeat those heroics if the Andalusians are to reach the Europa League semi-finals. Manchester United are in fine form at the moment, and the Red Devils have taken great delight in claiming Spanish scalps. This season they have already beaten Real Sociedad, FC Barcelona and Real Betis.

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Youssef En-Nesyri, time to confirm his revival

With him, it is pretty much the same old story for club and country. Youssef En-Nesyri has to prove every time that he is a good striker capable of leading his side to big wins. The main reason his status as Sevilla's centre-forward is constantly questioned is that he can go through long spells of doubt and be very wasteful in front of goal. But when he gets his eye in, the Moroccan can go on incredible runs. Having scored in each of the last two Liga matchdays, En-Nesyri will need to confirm his revival tonight. He has 3 goals in 9 European matches this season.

Ousmane Diomandé, time to take off

Having arrived in Europe last year from Olympic Sport d'Abobo (Ivory Coast), Ousmane Diomandé did not take long to make his mark. After just one year at FC Midtjylland, the Danish club that hosts several African gems, the 20-year-old Ivorian centre-back has been at Sporting CP since the start of February. And at the Portuguese club, Ousmane Diomandé has also settled in quickly. Introduced as a substitute in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 against Arsenal (2-2), the Ivorian played the whole of the second leg (1-1) and helped his team reach the quarter-finals. Sporting face Juventus tonight. A good time to make a name for himself.

Oussama Idrissi, a long-awaited awakening?

Struggling in the Dutch league with only two goals so far this season, the other Moroccan in these Europa League quarter-finals scored twice in his last match in the European competition. Oussama Idrissi played a major part in the rout by Feyenoord of Shakhtar Donetsk in the previous round (7-1). The Rotterdam club, who are heading straight for their first Dutch league title since 2017, will need their Atlas Lion to keep their European adventure going. They face Roma, a rematch of the last Europa Conference League final, won 1-0 by the Italians.

Simon Adingra in search of his first goal

At Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgium), the surprise package of the Europa League, who face Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of the quarter-final this Thursday evening, there is the Nigerian Victor Boniface, who already has 5 goals in the competition. But there is also the promising Ivorian Simon Adingra. The talented 21-year-old wide forward has yet to score in the Europa League but has already provided three assists and remains important to the Belgians' attacking play. In the Jupiler Pro League, which he is discovering this season, Adinga has 9 goals and 8 assists. Tonight he could come up against his compatriot Odilon Koussounou, the Leverkusen defender.

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— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) April 13, 2023