Newcastle United have been handed a tough tie against Portuguese giants Benfica in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, the BBC has reported. The three Premier League teams remaining in the competition avoided each other, with Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea also securing fixtures against foreign opposition.
The Magpies needed a late goal from Papiss Cisse to see off Anzhi Makhachkala in the last 16 and will expect a similarly difficult challenge against Jorge Jesus’ side.
Spurs and Andre Villas-Boas, who needed extra time to edge past a dogged Inter, will host FC Basel at White Hart Lane in the first leg before heading to Switzerland in the second leg.
Meanwhile Rafael Benitez’s Chelsea, who survived a scare of their own against Steaua Bucharest on Thursday evening, will make the difficult journey to Russia to face Rubin Kazan.
In the draw’s other fixture, Fenerbahce and Lazio will face-off for the the final vacancy in the semi-final stage of the competition.
The quarter-final first legs will be played on April 4 with the return matches taking place on April 11.
Europa League quarter-final draw in full:
Chelsea v Rubin Kazan
Tottenham Hotspur v FC Basel
Fenerbahce v Lazio
Benfica v Newcastle
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