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The Europa League returns to the pitch tomorrow with the eagerly awaited playoff return legs. After a month of preliminary rounds in August, entry to this prestigious competition is within reach, just 90 minutes away.
Several important matches feature teams with extensive continental experience. Among those almost certain to progress, thanks to their four-goal advantage, are the Dutch side Ajax, the Bulgarian team Ludogorets, and Greece's PAOK.
Ajax secured a commanding 4-1 win against Polish team Jagiellonia Białystok in the first leg. "Ludo" also netted four goals against Petrocub last week without conceding any. The Greeks, victorious with a 4-0 away win, could further extend their aggregate score in the next 90 minutes to be played at home. It will be a tough task for Shamrock Rovers to overturn this deficit.
Maccabi Tel Aviv, on the other hand, scored "only" three goals in the first leg against an apparently inexperienced Serbian team, Bačka Topola.
The outcome of the clash between Anderlecht and Dinamo Minsk is more uncertain. The Belgian side has just a one-goal advantage, and as we know, a narrow lead is never a guarantee of success in European competitions.
Besiktas and Lugano restart from a thrilling 3-3 draw. The Turkish club is favored, but the Swiss side, having scored three goals, is proving to be a worthy contender deserving of a place in the next round.
The match between Borac Banja Luka and Ferencváros is still hanging in the balance. The goalless draw in the first leg left everything wide open. Ferencváros boasts greater international experience, and their fans hope it will be enough to secure their path forward in the Europa League.
