
<p>Friday’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">Europa League</a> draw has revealed some interesting matchups in this year’s competition. Despite being the second-tiered European tournament, there are massive teams set to play in the round of 16. Arsenal, Juventus, and Manchester United have all qualified for the upcoming phase of the competition and now know their opponents.</p>



<h2>Trio all have tricky matches in the round of 16</h2>



<p>Premier League leaders <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> were drawn against Portuguese giants Sporting CP. The Lions previously finished third in their <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a> group alongside Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt. However, they qualified for the Europa League round of 16 by demolishing Midtjylland 5-1 on aggregate. The two clubs last met in 2018, with the Gunners securing a win and a draw against Sporting in the group stage.</p>



<p>Much like Sporting, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/juventus-tv-schedule/">Juventus</a> also finished third in their Champions League group as well. The Old Lady will now face Freiburg in the Europa League round of 16. Freiburg topped their group earlier in a the season and currently sit fourth in the Bundesliga table. Juventus are seventh in the Serie A standings, but were given a 15-point penalty earlier in the season.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="The UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Draw!" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BGWjyRJykG0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a> also face fairly difficult opposition as well. The Red Devils will play Real Betis in the round of 16. Betis may not be considered a traditional powerhouse, but the Spanish side have been playing well under head coach Manuel Pellegrini. They went undefeated in their Europa League group, which included Roma, earlier in the campaign. United qualified to the phase by impressively beating Barcelona in the knockout round.</p>



<h2>Schedule set for the two-legged fixture list</h2>



<p>All first leg matches of the round of 16 will be played on Thursday, March 9th. The return games are set for one week later.</p>



<p><strong>Europa League Round of 16 Draw:</strong></p>



<p>Union Berlin vs Union Saint-Gilloise</p>



<p>Sevilla vs Fenerbahce</p>



<p>Juventus vs Freiburg</p>



<p>Bayer Leverkusen vs Ferencvaros</p>



<p>Sporting CP vs Arsenal</p>



<p>Manchester United vs Real Betis</p>



<p>Roma vs Real Sociedad</p>



<p>Shakhtar Donetsk vs Feyenoord</p>



<p>For readers in the United States, all matches are live on <a href="https://paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paramount+</a>. The streaming service from CBS Sports currently offers a free trial.</p>



<p><em>Photo: IMAGO / Nicolo Campo</em></p>


Arsenal, Juventus, and Manchester United now know their UEFA round of 16 opponents after Friday's Europa League draw.

Europa League draw revealed for Round of 16 - World Soccer Talk

Europa League draw revealed for Round of 16

destacadas


<p>There’s plenty of soccer games on <a href="https://paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paramount+</a> this February. Here’s a rundown of some of the best action coming our way: </p>



<h3>UEFA Champions League</h3>



<p>After a condensed schedule of Group Stage games brought on by the Qatar World Cup in November and December, the world’s biggest club competition is back on Valentine’s Day with the Round of 16. PSG-Bayern, Dortmund-Chelsea and a rematch of last year’s final Liverpool-Madrid highlight the initial batch of first leg fixtures.</p>



<h3>UEFA Europa (and UEFA Conference) League</h3>



<p>That same week, the second- and third-tiers of European competition also return. Europa League and Conference League kick off on February 16, with Barcelona versus Manchester United the headline act.</p>



<table class="table5">
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<td width="30%"><a href="https://paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="blank" rel="noopener"><div><figure class="image"><img src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20230130_WST_416103_ParamountPlus.webp&amp;width=500&amp;height=310" alt="Paramount+"></figure></div></a></td>
<td width="40%">
<h4>Watch Soccer on Paramount+</h4>
Also includes: Champions League, Serie A, Coppa Italia &amp; More</td>
<td><a class="button" href="https://paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: white;"><strong>Sign Up</strong></span></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>



<h3>Serie A</h3>



<p>The Italian top flight continues in February starting on the 4th, with every match available on <a href="https://paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paramount+</a>. </p>



<p>Big matchups include the <em>Derby della Madonnina</em>, Inter vs AC Milan on February 5, Lazio-Atalanta on February 11, Juve-Fiorentina on the 12th, and Milan-Atalanta on February 26. The <em>Turin Derby</em> wraps up the month with Juventus hosting Torino FC on February 28.</p>



<h3>Coppa Italia Quarterfinals</h3>



<p>The final eight sides in Italy’s domestic cup take the field early in the month. Inter vs Atalanta (pre-February, January 31), Roma vs. Cremonese (February 1), Fiorentina vs. Torino (February 1), and Lazio v Juventus (February 2) should provide some juicy action.</p>



<h3>Women’s Super League</h3>



<p>The top level of women’s football in England is featured on Paramount+. Select games are available throughout each month featuring some of the biggest club names in soccer, like Arsenal and Manchester United. The exact February schedule on Paramount+ is not set at this time, but you can expect at least 3-4 games to appear on the service.</p>



<p>For the most up to date listings of what you can find on Paramount+ each day, visit our <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/channels/paramount-plus-soccer-schedule/">Paramount+ schedule page</a>.</p>



<p>Note that schedules are subject to change.</p>


A breakdown of all the best soccer games on Paramount+ that are coming to the streaming service this February.

Soccer games on Paramount+ in February - World Soccer Talk

Soccer games on Paramount+ in February


<p>Paramount+ is offering a limited time code that allows users to have savings in the winter. This is especially notable due to the fact that club soccer, which <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/channels/paramount-plus-soccer-schedule/">Paramount+ heavily features</a>, is back right at the turn of the year.</p>



<p>For example, Serie A’s first game back from the World Cup break is Jan. 4. Just a week later, Coppa Italia is back in action for the major Italian domestic cup. Each game in both of those competitions is available exclusively through Paramount+.</p>



<p>Also, the UEFA club competitions, namely the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League, return in February. This is the biggest draw on Paramount+. Many of the top players in the World Cup this year compete in the Champions League, and there are some tasty matchups in early February. PSG plays Bayern in a rematch of the 2020 Champions League Final. Plus, Liverpool faces Real Madrid in a game that mirrors the 2022 Champions League Final.</p>



<h2>Paramount+ offering winter savings this month</h2>



<p>To watch those competitions, you need Paramount+ in the United States. However, there is a way to get 50% off an annual subscription to the service.</p>



<p>Use the code “ALLYEAR” when subscribing for a half-price subscription to Paramount+. </p>


<table class="table5">
<tbody>
<tr class="table5" style="background-color: #4068b1;">
<td width="30%"><a href="https:\/\/paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="blank" rel="noopener"><div><figure class="image"><img src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20221208_WST_411727_ParamountPlus.webp&amp;width=500&amp;height=310" alt="Paramount+"></figure></div></a></td>
<td width="40%">
<h4 style="color: white;">Use code “ALLYEAR”</h4>
<p style="color: white;">50% off Champions League, Serie A, NWSL + More</p>
</td>
<td><a class="button" href="https:\/\/paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: white;"><strong>Sign Up</strong></span></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


<p>Note that this offering is only for annual plans. Still, the annual option on Paramount+ is $49.99. You can get half price on that if you use the code “ALLYEAR”.</p>



<p>Also, this is a limited time offer. The winter savings on Paramount+ expires December 31. Fittingly, this is just before the competitions return to action.</p>



<p>Even if you already have a subscription to Paramount+, as most soccer fans in the United States likely do, it is a good time to re-up. The monthly option on Paramount+ is $4.99. In that regard, you are practically paying for five months, but getting 12, if you use the code ALLYEAR on an annual plan.</p>



<p>Moreover, there are musings that Paramount+ is raising its subscription price in the near future. <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/07/15/espn-plus-price-increase/">ESPN+ is now at $9.99</a> after its latest price increase. Therefore, users should jump on the winter savings from Paramount+ while the offer is still there.</p>



<p>Don’t miss out on Paramount+’s <a href="https:\/\/paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">special offer</a>.</p>


Paramount+ has a limited time savings this winter on annual plans. It is perfect timing, as the service's soccer coverage kicks up Jan. 4.

Paramount+ offers winter savings before club soccer returns


<p>Rangers relieved manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst of his role as manager on Monday. The Scottish club sits in second in the Scottish Premiership, and failed to make it out of the group in the UEFA Champions League. </p>



<p>While those measurements would not be terrible for most Scottish clubs, it is heavily against Rangers’ ambitions for this season. While the club is firmly in control of <a href="https:\/\/www.skysports.com/scottish-premier-table" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">second place</a> with a eight-point cushion over Aberdeen, it remains nine points adrift of league-leaders Celtic. </p>



<p>Also, that crash out of the Champions League is one of, if not, the worst performances in the competition’s history. In six games, Rangers did not pick up a point. In fact, the Ibrox team only scored twice. On the way, opponents scored 22 goals, second-worst to only Viktoria Plzen. At the other end, Rangers only scored twice.</p>



<p>Giovanni van Bronckhorst took over at Rangers <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/van-bronckhorst-hired-as-rangers-manager-20211118-CMS-357578.html">just over a year ago</a>, on Nov. 18, 2021. In his abbreviated first season at Ibrox, van Bronckhorst led the side to a second-place finish, just six points behind Old Firm rivals Celtic. However, perhaps more impressively, Rangers reached the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/van-bronckhorst-wants-rangers-to-ignore-pressure-in-europa-semis-20220427-CMS-381698.html">Europa League Final</a>, losing to Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties. On the way to that spot, Rangers defeated Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and more.</p>



<p>Additionally, Rangers won the 2022 Scottish Cup over Hearts. The club defeated Celtic in the semifinal to get to that spot.</p>



<h2>Giovanni van Bronckhorst out at Rangers</h2>



<p>During his long career as a player, van Bronckhorst spent three seasons at Rangers. In that time, he scored 22 goals across all competitions, including in Europe. However, he also featured heavily for Arsenal, Barcelona and Feyenoord, where he started and finished his career. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rangers Football Club confirms today it has parted company with manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst.<br><br>The board would like to put on record sincere thanks to Gio for all his efforts since his appointment as manager.<a href="https:\/\/t.co/ESRS10qpJP">https:\/\/t.co/ESRS10qpJP</a> <a href="https:\/\/t.co/aLGIiXa2sS">pic.twitter.com/aLGIiXa2sS</a></p>— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/RangersFC/status/1594635830722715648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>Van Bronckhorst has managerial experience at Feyenoord and in China. However, his lone season at Rangers is certainly his most fruitful. </p>



<p>Douglas Park, chairman of Rangers, said recent results are not up to the standard of Rangers, particularly those set by van Bronckhorst in cup competitions last season.</p>



<p>“Unfortunately, recent results have not met neither our nor Gio’s expectations, and we have taken this difficult decision today,” Park wrote in <a href="https:\/\/www.rangers.co.uk/Article/club-statement-gio-van-bronckhorst/1H3RvTg70DyrKT3rxUefvM" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a statement from the club</a>. “Everyone at Rangers wishes Gio every success in the future.”</p>



<p>Rangers is now in the search for a new manager, set to takeover once the club season returns after the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Cup</a>.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>


Rangers, currently second in the Scottish Premiership, sacked manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst with Celtic clear away in the league.

Rangers sack manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst

<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-400519" src="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Arsenal-scheduling.jpg" alt="Arsenal scheduling" width="1200" height="725" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/09/16073533/Arsenal-scheduling.jpg 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/09/16073533/Arsenal-scheduling-600x363.jpg 600w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/09/16073533/Arsenal-scheduling-150x91.jpg 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/09/16073533/Arsenal-scheduling-768x464.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure>
<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal’s</a> <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/09/10/soccer-in-the-uk-to-resumes-on-tuesday-epl-returns-friday/">scheduling</a> continues to suffer changes as a result of recent postponements.</p>
<p>The Gunners announced that their <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">Europa League</a> home match with PSV Eindhoven will be played on Thursday, Oct. 20. Initially, UEFA scheduled the game for this upcoming Thursday, Sep. 15. However, due to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/09/08/what-queen-elizabeths-death-means-for-english-soccer/">the passing of Queen Elizabeth II</a>, the fixture between the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/09/08/arsenal-united-get-polarizing-results-in-europa-league-opener/">two top teams in group A</a> of the competition changed time.</p>
<p>Also, the decision to accommodate the Europa League game impacted a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> matchup. Arsenal’s contest with Manchester City, originally set for Wednesday, Oct. 19, moves to allow Arsenal to partake in its European fixture.</p>
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">🗓 Fixture list update</p>
<p>Our <a href="https://twitter.com/EuropaLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuropaLeague</a> clash with <a href="https://twitter.com/PSV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PSV</a> has been rescheduled. </p>
<p>In turn, our <a href="https://twitter.com/premierleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PremierLeague</a> fixture with <a href="https://twitter.com/ManCity?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ManCity</a> has been postponed.</p>
<p>— Arsenal (@Arsenal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1569980850510471171?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2022</a></p></blockquote></div>
<p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>UEFA, the sport’s governing body in Europe, praised the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/09/12/trio-of-premier-league-games-postponed-for-second-week/">Premier League for the rescheduling</a>. “UEFA would like to thank the Premier League and the clubs concerned for their flexibility and cooperation in the rescheduling of the UEFA Europa League match which had been postponed due to the impossibility for local police forces to guarantee its secure staging,” <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0279-161b8a705a02-784ba9d43903-1000--uefa-confirms-new-date-for-arsenal-vs-psv-eindhoven-tie/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">read</a> its official statement.</p>
<h3>Arsenal’s scheduling conflicts move City clash</h3>
<p>Earlier in the week, City manager Pep Guardiola suggested that the game versus Arsenal would not take place. “After the international break, we’ll have one month and a half with a lot of games,” Guardiola <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/manchester-city-engman_city/story/4745190/man-city-arsenal-could-be-axed-due-to-fixture-pile-up-guardiola" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in Tuesday’s press conference. “We have seven Premier League games, five games at home, it depends if the Arsenal game will be postponed or not. Then the World Cup.”</p>
<p>The domino effect to reschedule the two games adds to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/09/09/arsenals-three-gabriels-left-off-brazil-squad-ahead-of-friendlies/">Arsenal’s scheduling headache</a>. As <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">the World Cup</a> is taking place midseason this year, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/09/04/top-european-clubs-face-challenge-of-depth-in-condensed-season/">fixture lists for European clubs were already tight</a>. The Gunners will now play nine matches in the month of October. They also have three more fixtures scheduled for early November before the start of the World Cup.</p>
<p>Arsenal’s next game away to Brentford on Sunday is apparently set to go ahead as planned. The Premier League has already postponed 13 matches within the last week.</p>
<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>

Scheduling domino effect impacts multiple matches for Arsenal

With games postponed left and right, Arsenal scheduling changes now leak well into October and beyond, including a major matchup.

Scheduling domino effect impacts multiple matches for Arsenal - World Soccer Talk

<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-400093" src="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Europa-League-opener.jpg" alt="Europa League opener" width="1200" height="725" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/09/16073616/Europa-League-opener.jpg 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/09/16073616/Europa-League-opener-600x363.jpg 600w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/09/16073616/Europa-League-opener-150x91.jpg 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/09/16073616/Europa-League-opener-768x464.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure>
<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> held on to a narrow victory in its to the Europa League opener after a couple years outside continental action.</p>
<p>The Gunners beat FC Zürich 2-1 thanks to goals from Marquinhos and Eddie Nketiah. The England striker set up the Brazilian for their first goal, while they essentially swapped roles for the second. Zürich managed to make things interesting when Mirland Kryeziu converted from the penalty spot.</p>
<p>Manager Mikel Arteta handed full debuts to the aforementioned Marquinhos, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/06/16/fabio-vieira-a-proper-fit-for-arsenal/">Fabio Vieira</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/06/24/usmnt-goalkeepers-lack-of-playing-time-creates-big-dilemma/">USMNT number one Matt Turner</a>. The Gunners dominated both possession (72%) and total shots (18), but just edged the hosts where it counts.</p>
<p>Fellow Premier League team <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a>, however, failed to get off to a good start in their opening European game. United suffered a surprise 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad at Old Trafford. The only goal of the game came from a very controversial penalty in the second half.</p>
<p>Replays showed the Sociedad shot came off of Red Devils defender Lisandro Martinez’s arm. Yet, the ball clearly first glanced off of his knee. Nevertheless, VAR agreed with the original decision.</p>
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">VAR called this a penalty for Real Sociedad.</p>
<p>Do you agree with the decision? 👀 <a href="https://t.co/qQ6WjST0SI">pic.twitter.com/qQ6WjST0SI</a></p>
<p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1567972910077456384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2022</a></p></blockquote></div>
<p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Sociedad picked up its first win against English opponents in the club’s history in European competition.</p>
<h5>Other results in Thursday’s Europa League opener</h5>
<p>Italian giants Roma suffered a shock defeat on the road to Ludogorets. The Bulgarian club snatched all three points thanks to a late goal from substitute Nonato. The Brazilian scored the winner just two minutes after the Italians equalized. Despite having 56% possession and 10 more shots than the home team, the Italians could not come away with a point.</p>
<p>Rome counterpart Lazio collected a big victory against Feyenoord thanks to three first half goals. The Serie A club added a fourth before the Dutch giants scored twice in the final 20 minutes of the match. Luis Alberto, Felipe Anderson and Matias Vecino appeared on the scoresheet in the Italian capital, with the latter securing a brace.</p>
<p>Real Betis also picked up a solid away win against HJK in Finland to continue their fine form. Willian Jose netted a brace of his own in the match. Unfortunately a significant injury takes the headlines. Winger Juanmi had to be carted off the pitch, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/08/13/top-female-soccer-players-express-outrage-that-womens-world-cup-will-be-played-on-artificial-grass/">an artificial grass field</a>, after suffering an apparent ankle injury just a few minutes into the match. The 29-year-old former Southampton player reportedly had to be taken to a nearby hospital due to the incident.</p>
<p><em>PHOTO: Imago</em></p>

Arsenal, United get polarizing results in Europa League opener

During Thursday's Europa League opener, there were some surprising results, including losses by Manchester United and Roma.

Arsenal, United get polarizing results in Europa League opener - World Soccer Talk

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