Four in the league: what awaits Russian players in the quarterfinals of European competitions

The first quarterfinal matches in three club tournaments begin this week: the Champions League, the Europa League and the Conference League. Fortunately for Russian football fans, even at such a distant stage, we have someone to cheer for personally. And in each of the three European cups. Read more about what awaits Russian legionnaires in the 1/4 finals in the Izvestia article.

Matvey Safonov (PSG, France)

Not so long ago, Matvey Safonov became the French champion for the first time with PSG. And despite serious competition with Italian Gianluigi Donnarumma for a place in goal, the Russian's contribution to team success cannot be underestimated. In the current season of Ligue 1 (which, by the way, has not yet been completed) Safonov took part in eight matches, conceded six goals and scored three times. And even if the sample is not that large, the statistics are quite decent for the time allotted to Matthew. Perhaps winning the championship ahead of schedule will allow Safonov to play more matches before the end of the season.

But now we are talking about the Champions League, where nothing has been decided yet. Therefore, the PSG coach, Spaniard Luis Enrique, is unlikely to rotate there without a good reason. This means that Safonov will be watching Donnarumma's possible exploits from the bench.

Although it is worth admitting that the Parisians were somewhat lucky to have a quarterfinal opponent. However, at such late stages, one should not underestimate even Aston Villa, which is currently seventh in the English Premier League (Premier League) standings and still retains mathematical chances to finish the season in the Champions League zone. But we can say that the Villains themselves were lucky with the playoff bracket: bypassing the playoff round, the British passed the Belgian Brugge with a total score of 6:1. But now a much more serious opponent appeared on their way. And something tells me that Aston Villa's fabulous journey in the Champions League will end at PSG. So far, it is difficult to imagine that the Parisians would approach this confrontation as irresponsibly as possible and be eliminated at the 1/4 finals stage. But then it will be more interesting: if PSG gets to the semifinals, then there he will play with the winner of the Arsenal– Real Madrid pair. But more on that later.

Four in the element: who of the Russians stayed in the European Cup

Safonov's PSG and three other teams continue to compete with ours in three UEFA club tournaments.

The PSG – Aston Villa matches will be held on April 9th and 15th.

Nikita Khaykin ("Buda/Glimt", Norway)

At "Bude/Glimt" the season in the Norwegian championship has just begun (it takes place there according to the "spring-autumn" system, and only two rounds were played), so you don't have to worry about the league standings yet — it's better to throw all your strength into the Europa League. And there, the team of Russian goalkeeper Nikita Khaikin has a rival — a strong representative of the top 5 championships, the Italian Lazio, which is currently in sixth place in Serie A, maintaining a real chance of getting into the Champions League zone at the end of the season.

On the way to the quarterfinals, "Bude/Glimt has passed two stages of the playoffs. And it wasn't easy for the Norwegians in every one.: First, we fought with the Dutch FC Twente (6:4 in the sum of two matches), and then with the Greek Olympiacos (4:2). But this all speaks, among other things, about the team's willingness to fight to the last, and reaching the 1/4 finals is proof of that.

It's nice that along the entire European League path, "There will be/Glimt" our goalkeeper Nikita Khaykin played in all the matches, starting from the group stage and ending with the 1/8 finals. At the moment, Khaikin has 17 goals conceded in 12 matches of the tournament, as well as two "dry" meetings. It's not the most outstanding result, but still it's worth making allowances for the overall level of the team compared to the rivals. In this sense, the output "Will be/Glimt's entry into the quarterfinals can be considered a sensation. But it will be extremely difficult to extend the "Norwegian holiday" to the semi-finals.

Matches of "Bude/Glimt – Lazio will be held on April 10 and 17.

Egor Prutsev and Nikita Iosifov (Celje, Slovenia)

Getting the Slovenian Celje into the top eight of the strongest teams in the Conference League can also be considered a sensation to some extent. Although there were more or less comparable rivals on their way: Cyprus APOEL and Swiss Lugano. In any case, the Slovenian team is far from the first or even the second contender for the title (especially when such European giants as English Chelsea, Spanish Betis and Italian Fiorentina also reached the quarterfinals).

Tournament motivation: what awaits Russian legionnaires in the European Cup playoffs

"Matvey Safonov's PSG will play Brest, while Alexander Golovin's Monaco will play Benfica in the Champions League

It was the Violets who became Celje's opponent in the 1/4 finals of the third most important European club tournament. Fiorentina currently occupies eighth place in the Italian Serie A championship, which means a potential victory in the Conference League could help them qualify for the Europa League next season. And the violets definitely won't give up this opportunity just like that. It is possible that if all the remaining matches of the tournament go off without surprises, then the sign "Fiorentina" – "Chelsea" will be waiting for us in the final. Although Betis would still argue.

Anyway, it will be extremely difficult for the Slovenian team, which includes two young Russians — midfielders Egor Prutsev and Nikita Iosifov — to pass the Italian club. And we are unlikely to see the Russians themselves on the field. Neither Prutsev nor Iosifov have yet received their chance in the Conference League. Although both players have already scored well in the championship: Prutsev has 3+2 goals +passes in six matches (466 minutes), and Iosifov has two assists in seven meetings (291 minutes).

Celje – Fiorentina matches will be held on April 10 and 17.