177 teams have competed in this season’s Europa Conference League, but now just 8 remain.
All of these clubs are dreaming of being in Prague for the final on 7 June, so who will make-up the semi-final line-up?
This article predicts who will come out on top in all four ties, getting underway on Thursday.
📰 Table Of Contents
Gent vs West Ham United
Will West Ham United’s perfect Europa Conference League record continue in East Flanders?
So far, the Hammers have won ten out of ten in this tournament, scoring 25 goals and conceding just five in victories over Viborg, Silkeborg, FCSB, Anderlecht and AEK Larnaca.
Here though, the difficultly level will increase as the Irons seek to end their 43-year wait for a major trophy.
The two drew in Belgium, but de Buffalo’s then claim a 4-1 victory in Türkiye, with wonderkid Gift Orban bagging a hat-trick in the space 205 seconds, the fastest in the history of UEFA competition.
So, this is the first time Gent have reached the quarter-finals of a continental competition since defeat to Ajax at this stage in the UEFA Cup 31 years ago.
With the second leg to come in East London, West Ham simply be hoping to leave Ghelamco Arena with a positive result.
Basel vs Nice
Just one French club remains in UEFA competition and that is Nice.
Les Aiglons have reached the quarter-finals of a European competition for the first time since 1960, smashing FC Sheriff Tiraspol 4-1 in the previous round.
Caretaker manager Didier Digard suffered his first defeat in charge at the weekend, beaten 2-0 by PSG on Saturday night, having impressively won eight of his first 14 at the helm.
Given that Nice are all the way down in ninth in Ligue 1, they’ll be looking to this competition to save their season.
Likewise FC Basel are fifth in the Swiss Super League, following a 1-1 draw with Zürich at the weekend.
RotBlau have already played 16 Europa Conference League matches to get this far, requiring a penalty shootout to oust ŠK Slovan Bratislava last month, after both legs ended 2-2.
If Basel harbour any hopes of reaching the semis, they’ll surely need to win this first leg at St. Jakob-Park.
Lech Poznań vs Fiorentina
Will Fiorentina make sure the Europa Conference League trophy remains in Italy?
I Violi’s sole European success came in 1961, beating Rangers in the Cup Winners’ Cup Final, but this tournament has their supporters dreaming.
Vincenzo Italiano’s team come into this one having won eight consecutive matches in Europe, scoring 25 goals, ousting Braga and Sivasspor in the knockout phase.
Meanwhile, I Gigliati are also well-placed to reach the Coppa Italia Final and had won five consecutive matches in Serie A prior to Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Spezia.
In short, Fiorentina are flying right now, and will take some stopping.
So, a tough task for Lech Poznań in, what will be, their first ever quarter-final on the continent.
John van den Brom’s team have seen off two Scandinavian clubs in 2023, ousting Bodø/Glimt 1-0 before smashing Djurgården 5-0.
The Railwaymen are unbeaten at home in UEFA competition this season, winning eight out of nine, scoring 22 goals and shipping just two.
So, it won’t be easy for Fiorentina at Stadion Poznań, but the Italian outfit are heavy favourites to advance overall.
Anderlecht vs AZ Alkmaar
West Ham United supporters, keep an eye on this tie because, if your team gets through, they’ll be facing the winners of this tough to call match-up.
AZ are the on the cusp of reaching a continental semi-final for the first time in 18 years, having subsequently fallen at this hurdle in 2007, 2012 and 2014.
Pascal Jansen’s side sprung a real surprise in the last 16 by dumping out Lazio, winning both legs 2-1, despite going a goal down in both.
With the Cheeseheads fourth in the Eredivisie, beaten 1-0 by Sparta Rotterdam on Saturday, it’s clear that their focus is on this competition.
The same can be said about Anderlecht who are ninth in the Jupiler Pro League, which would represent their lowest finish since 1937.
Thus, it was a major surprise last month when Brian Riemer’s team took out one of the favourites Villarreal, courtesy of a famous 1-0 win at Estadio de la Cerámica.
Given that the second leg will be played in Alkmaar, most would make AZ favourites to progress.
