In pictures: Europa League on a backdrop of coronavirus uncertainty

Action and empty stadiums at Thursday's Europa League matches

Published: March 13, 2020 14:42 Matthew Smith, Sport Editor

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Eintracht Frankfurt fans showed their funny side by taping this sign to a wall during their behind-closed-doors Europa League clash against Basel. It was all they had to smile about as they lost 3-0. Image Credit: AP

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Odion Ighalo kept up his scoring streak as Manchester United closed in on the Europa League quarter-finals with a 5-0 win over LASK on Thursday in the first leg of their round-of-16 meeting in an empty stadium in Austria. Image Credit: AFP

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Ighalo gave United the lead with a spectacular effort in the 28th minute as he collected a pass from Bruno Fernandes and juggled the ball from foot to foot before unleashing a left-footed volley with his fourth touch that flew in off the underside of the bar. Image Credit: Reuters

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United dominated throughout but LASK stayed in the game until Daniel James doubled the lead in the 58th. Juan Mata added the third in the 82nd before Mason Greenwood and fellow substitute Andreas Pereira padded the lead in stoppage time to make the return leg all but meaningless. Only 500 people were allowed inside the stadium because of the virus outbreak, including media personnel and a small pocket of LASK fans. Image Credit: AFP

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Wolverhampton Wanderers needed a goal from a deflected free kick to earn a 1-1 draw at 10-man Olympiakos. Wolves had asked for their game to be postponed as well after Olympiakos' owner tested positive for COVID-19, but Uefa ordered the game to go ahead. Image Credit: AP

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Shakhtar Donetsk earned a 2-1 away win against Wolfsburg. Again the stadium was empty. Image Credit: Reuters

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Bayer Leverkusen beat Rangers 3-1 at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow. The stadium was a 60,000 sell-out but the home fans threw objects at Leverkusen players. Image Credit: Reuters

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Two games involving Italian teams were postponed because of the virus outbreak, including Inter Milan's game against Getafe and Roma's meeting with Sevilla. Image Credit: Reuters

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The fans were present to witness Edin Visca's late penalty to give Istanbul Basaksehir a 1-0 home win over Copenhagen. Image Credit: AFP

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