Forest, Genk take commanding leads
11 - Brann could not follow the magic from fellow Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt from earlier this week, losing 1-0 against Bologna. Santiago Castro's early goal made the difference as the hosts will have to turn things around in Italy next week. Brann have yet to win a match in the knockout rounds after three attempts. The defeat marked the 11th occasion where the Bergen-based club failed to score at home in a European match.
4 - Bologna have recovered from their slump from the start of the league phase. They are unbeaten in their last seven now (4-3-0), and if they can make it eight next week, they will be in the round of 16 for the first time since 1998/99. Rossoblu have prevailed in their last four away matches, their longest streak in continental play.
2 - Dinamo Zagreb are in serious trouble, as two goals in the opening quarter of their home clash with Genk put them in an uncomfortable situation. In the end, the Croats were beaten 3-1, forcing them to turn things around in Limburg. They did win their last away match in the knockout round playoffs. That could give them belief. The reverse on Thursday was just their second against Belgian opposition (5-3-2).
15 - Zakaria El Ouahdi and Bryan Heynen got the goals for the Smurfs, who are 90 minutes away from successfully negotiating a knockout round tie for the first time in nine years. Genk have impressed on their travels this term, winning five of six games (including qualifying). In total, they have scored 15 away goals, a number only bettered by Midtjylland (17).
40 - It was a rough evening for Fenerbahce, who were defeated 3-0 at home against Nottingham Forest. The Turkish side failed to create enough in the attack, amassing just six attempts to Forest's 23. As a result, they are facing elimination at this point for the fourth time in the last decade. Fener's struggles versus English opposition continue as well. Having lost to Aston Villa in the league phase, Sari-Lacivertliler have conceded 40 times against Premier League teams.
5 - Keeping teams out of the back of the net has been something Forest have been able to do quite well over their last few matches. After letting in five goals in their opening two clashes, they have let in just two since. Interestingly, eight of The Tricky Trees' last nine European victories have seen them keep a clean sheet. This was the fifth time this term they managed that feat, winning the match on four occasions.
7 - Home teams really had problems on Thursday night, as PAOK FC lost to Celta Vigo once again. The Greek club did get a goal late on, but still succumbed 2-1 to the Spanish outfit. The challenge for them will be to overcome this deficit in Galicia a week from now. Knockout round football has not been kind to PAOK over the last couple of years. This is their seventh successive defeat at this stage of a UEFA club competition.
12 - Celta have reached the round of 16 or better in the UEFA Cup/Europa League across all three previous participations this millennium. Should they avoid defeat at home, that streak will continue. Their away form is not too shabby either. Os Celestes have now scored in each of their last 12 away matches.
Panathinaikos, Plzen still cannot be separated
22 - Celtic's hopes of making the last 16 took a serious hit, as they suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat versus Stuttgart. The Hoops face an arduous task in Germany next week as they look to turn things around. Usually strong at home, the Scottish champions have lost three of their six matches at Parkhead this term (2-1-3). They also do not enjoy meeting German opposition, as the loss was their 22nd in such contests (5-6-22).
16 - It was a solid performance from VfB, who are well on their way to making the last 16. Bilal El Khannouss' brace in the opening half sent them on their way. The Bundesliga side have prevailed in both of their away matches in which they have scored, losing the other three. In total, Stuttgart had 16 attempts in the win.
19 - Just as they did in the league phase, Lille fell 1-0 to Crvena zvezda. This time, it came at home, where they typically have much more success. Les Dogues have not come out on top in a UEL knockout round match since 2009/10, the first season under the Europa League banner. Scoring at home is usually a given for the French side. Firing a blank, it ended a run of 19 consecutive home games in which they found the back of the net.
8 - Crvena zvezda reached the round of 16 in 2021/22, but have not got past a group phase since. After a few seasons of disappointment, the former European Cup winners are 90 minutes away from making a return. Curiously, this was their eighth away win in the main rounds in Europe in the group phase era, and all of those wins have seen them maintain a clean sheet.
10 - Ludogorets were the only team to find a way to win at home in the UEL on Thursday, edging Ferencvaros 2-1. Son Hidalgo netted the winner midway through the second half to give the Bulgarians a great chance at moving through. It was the sixth time the two teams met this season, and the eighth time overall. Ludo have won just two of those matches to Fradi's five. As for goals scored, the side from Razgrad have hit 10 now against their Hungarian opponents.
3 - Fradi went unbeaten across their opening seven league phase games. Unfortunately for them, they have suffered a reversal of fortune. Following their matchday 8 reverse, they are now left chasing the tie at home. Robbie Keane's men are now on a three-match losing streak in knockout round away games in the Europa League.
9 - The most exciting game of the evening ended honours even, as Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzen drew once more. The 2-2 stalemate in the Greek capital makes next week's decider all the more fascinating. Andrews Tetteh got both goals for the Athens-based side, who could not hold onto their second half lead. This result ended a fascinating nine-game winning streak for Pana in which they scored multiple times.
6 - Plzen remain the only unbeaten team in the UEL this term, something that surprises many. Tomas Ladra's goal 10 minutes from time kept the Czech side from falling to defeat, something they did in the first leg of last season's knockout playoffs. While they may be undefeated, Plzen have drawn six matches this campaign. Interestingly enough, it is not the first time they have had that many in one season. They had the same number in 2016/17.
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