Five players to watch in the Europa League knockout stage

As the Europa League gets serious, we take a look at five players who could impress...

Lucas Alario

Forward, 26, Bayer Leverkusen

With sought-after duo Kai Havertz and Leon Bailey wreaking havoc in the final third for Bayer Leverkusen, it is testament to the ability of Lucas Alario that he played in all bar one of the side's group matches in the Europa League.

The versatile Argentinian forward is strong with both feet, a handful in the air and has found the net four times in Europe's secondary competition.

Alario has goals in the Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana and German Cup on his CV and could be a contender to score in Leverkusen's knockout clash with Russian outfit Krasnodar.

Aissa Mandi

Defender, 27, Real Betis

A section featuring European regulars Milan and Olympiakos was a daunting prospect for an inexperienced Betis side but the Green & Whites prevailed as unbeaten group winners.

Crucial to that was the joint-best defence in the group stage with just two goals conceded and alleged Arsenal target Aissa Mandi was a key component of their rearguard.

The Algerian played on the right side of a back three, averaging a pass-completion rate of 94 per cent in the Europa League, and is adept at feeding balls through to the attackers to spark Betis counters.

Moanes Dabour

Striker, 26, Red Bull Salzburg

Salzburg set the Europa League alight last term but Moanes Dabour mustered only one goal as the Austrian side reached the semi-finals.

This term he already has six strikes to his name after the group stage, including braces against Celtic and Rosenborg, and he could be crucial to Salzburg's chances of progressing.

Dabour has developed a telepathic relationship with Fredrik Gulbrandsen in a front two but, as their elected penalty-taker and the striker more likely to occupy the poacher role, Dabour will be the better option in goalscorer markets for the Red Bulls.

Sebastien Haller

Striker, 24, Eintracht Frankfurt

Young Luka Jovic has been Frankfurt's most talked about asset this term but another member of the club's front three could be the one to focus on in the Europa League knockout round.

Frenchman Sebastien Haller has 11 goals and eight assists in the Bundesliga this term along with three strikes in Europe and tends to operate in a more central role than his Serbian counterpart.

Frankfurt's last-32 opponents Shakhtar Donetsk set up with three at the back and Haller's strong aerial presence could be crucial to the German side unlocking the door.

Dani Olmo

Midfielder, 20, Dinamo Zagreb

Dinamo Zagreb's Dani Olmo has not been grabbing the headlines in the Europa League but the Barcelona youth product has been a vital cog in the Croatian side's midfield.

The young Spaniard laid on three assists and scored once himself in the group stage and is capable of taking up the number ten role as well as drifting out to play on the flank.

He shows everything you would expect from a former La Masia player with expert vision and composure in possession and it is no surprise to see him linked with a move back to Camp Nou.

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