Enlarge image

Patrik Schick shot Bayer Leverkusen into the quarter-finals

Photo: Wolfgang Rattay / REUTERS

Bayer Leverkusen will play against English representatives West Ham United in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

In a possible semi-final, Xabi Alonso's team would face the winner of the Italian duel between AC Milan and AS Roma, according to Friday's draw.

The quarterfinals will take place on April 11th and 18th.

The Bundesliga leaders spectacularly moved into the round of the last eight teams on Thursday with two goals in stoppage time against Qarabag Agdam.

Leverkusen also overcame a 2-0 deficit in both games.

West Ham eliminated SC Freiburg in the round of 16.

Bayer is the only German team remaining in the competition.

Last year the Werkself failed in the semi-finals against AS Roma, so there could be revenge.

The semi-finals are scheduled for May 2nd and 9th, the final will take place on May 22nd in Dublin (Ireland).

The quarterfinals at a glance:

AC Milan – AS Roma

Liverpool FC – Atalanta Bergamo

Bayer Leverkusen – West Ham United

Benfica Lisbon – Olympique Marseille

For German football, the knockout rounds of the Europa League and the Champions League are also about a possible fifth starting place in the Champions League.

Starting next season, the number of participants in the premier class will be increased from 32 to 36.

Two of the four new places will be awarded to the countries with the best performance in international competitions this season.

In the ranking of countries with the best UEFA annual club coefficient for the 2023/2024 season, Germany (16,357 points) is still in second place, which would bring a fifth starting place in the Champions League.

However, their pursuers England (16,250) have moved very close and still have a total of five clubs in the European competitions.

Italy is in the lead with a clear lead (17,741).

In addition to Leverkusen, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are also represented in the premier class from the Bundesliga.

The Munich team will play against FC Arsenal from London in the quarter-finals, Dortmund will face Atlético Madrid.

ast/dpa/sid