Three English clubs secured their places in European semi-finals on Thursday night, setting up intriguing matchups against lesser-known but dangerous opponents from across the continent.
Manchester United produced a remarkable comeback against Lyon in the Europa League, scoring three goals in extra time to win 5-4 on the night and 7-6 on aggregate. Ruben Amorim’s side will now face Athletic Bilbao, who eliminated Rangers and will have extra motivation as the final will be played at their home stadium, San Mames.
Tottenham secured their semi-final berth with a disciplined 1-0 victory at Eintracht Frankfurt, advancing 2-1 on aggregate. Ange Postecoglou’s team will face Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt, one of European football’s most fascinating stories. Located north of the Arctic Circle, Bodo has become notorious for upsetting established clubs, including a famous 6-1 thrashing of Jose Mourinho’s Roma in 2021. Interestingly, they also eliminated Postecoglou’s Celtic in 2022, adding another layer to this matchup.
In the Conference League, Chelsea progressed despite a 2-1 home defeat to Legia Warsaw, their 3-0 first-leg advantage proving decisive. The Blues will take on Swedish side Djurgarden, who are in the early stages of their domestic season but have reached unprecedented European heights this campaign.
Athletic Bilbao presents a unique challenge for Manchester United with their Basque-only policy creating a strong sense of identity and passion. Led by experienced coach Ernesto Valverde and featuring Spanish star Nico Williams, they reached the Europa League final in 2012 under Marcelo Bielsa.
All semi-final first legs will take place on May 1, with return fixtures scheduled for May 8. For the English clubs, these ties represent a chance to salvage challenging domestic seasons with European glory, though each will face opponents with compelling narratives of their own.
