7 - In what was perhaps their most convincing performance in Europe this season, Fenerbahce picked up a 3-0 win over Anderlecht at home. Despite finishing in 24th spot in the league phase, the Turkish side are on their way to qualifying for the last 16 for the second consecutive appearance. The victory was also their seventh against Belgian sides in Europe, having also defeated Union Saint-Gilloise on matchday 1.
4 - Ferencvaros earned a crucial 1-0 victory over Viktoria Plzen for their first-ever win in the knockout rounds of a UEFA club competition. The result was also their fourth consecutive European home wins for Fradi. Only once have they previously won four straight home matches in the UEFA Cup/Europa League, but that was done over the course of three seasons, between 1997/98 and 1999/2000.
5 - Real Sociedad took a big step in finally progressing from a UEFA club competition tie as they defeated Midtjylland 2-1 in Denmark. Although this was just their second away win in the UEL this term, La Real have scored in all five matches on their travels. It is also 10 games in a row in which they have found the back of the net.
8 - A pair of second-half goals were enough for Ajax to see off Union Saint-Gilloise 2-0 in Brussels. Across their five wins in the Europa League proper, the Dutch giants have kept four clean sheets. More crucially, Ajax ended Union's run of eight consecutive Europa League home games without defeat. Their last loss came in the knockout stage in 2022/23, when Bayer Leverkusen beat them 4-1.
9 - AZ Alkmaar made the most of going up a man as they topped Galatasaray 4-1 at home. As has been the case in recent years, the Eredivisie outfit have been a tought nut to crack at the AFAS Stadion. More impressively, they continue their unbeaten run against Turkish teams to nine matches (5-4-0). In a similar vein, Galatasaray's struggles versus Dutch opposition keeps on going as it is now seven defeats in 10 for them (2-1-7).
3 - The only match in the Europa League to end without a winner, Porto and Roma played to a 1-1 draw in Portugal. That makes it three stalemates in seven head-to-heads in Europe between the pair. The Giallorossi, who have reached the competition's semi-finals in three of the last four campaigns, will look to eliminate Porto at the fourth time of asking in the return leg.
19 - FCSB managed to work their magic once more. Just as they did during the league phase, the Romanian champions got the better of PAOK away. This time, it ended 2-1 in their favour. In the process, FCSB have won a UEFA club competition knockout stage away game for the first time in 19 years. Before this, their last such victory came in the last 16 of the 2005/06 UEFA Cup, defeating Real Betis 3-0. They ultimately made the semi-finals that term.
13 - Twente left it late, but they will take a narrow advantage with them to Norway next week. The side from Enschede edged Bodo/Glimt 2-1 thanks to a last-gasp penalty from Ricky van Wolfswinkel. They are currently riding a three-game winning streak in Europe, having come out on top in their last two league phase games. The last time that happened for them in a UEFA club competition proper was 13 years ago. That also came in the Europa League