If you are not a member yet, you can sign up here

News Archive

Europa League, day 5

All three Spanish teams are sure of a place in the knock-out stage at the end of day five, although Valencia are the only ones to tie up top spot in their group. Djukic's side won 0-1 at "Spanish" Swansea in the last match of the evening, Dani Parejo getting the only goal following a twentieth minute corner to take the Ches four points clear of their hosts in the table. Sevilla also stay in first place in their group, and although mathematically they are at least sure of finishing ahead of Liberec, they could drop to second if they lose by more than two goals against Freiburg in two weeks time. The Andalusians got off to a good start against Estoril, Gameiro opening the scoring in only the seventh minute, but they ran out of steam after that, and the Portuguese team got a deserved equaliser through Fernandes in the last minute. Sevilla's city neighbours Betis had done enough in previous rounds to qualify for the last 32, at least after tonight's other group game between Rijeka and Guimaraes ended goal-less, although they gave up top spot to Olympique Lyon after losing 1-0 in France. Gomis got the only goal for the locals midway through the second half. (28.11.13)

Swansea 0 - Valencia 1

Valencia tied up top spot in their Europa League group after a 0-1 victory at "Spanish" Swansea on Thursday evening. Already sure of a place in knock-out stage, Djukic put out a changed line-up, with his opposite number Laudrup including four Spaniards in his starting eleven and three more on the bench. Swansea themselves needed a result to ensure their spot in the next round, and Bony headed a couple of chances wide early on. However with twenty minutes gone Dani Parejo put the visitors ahead, beating Tremmel after Bernat's shot was blocked following a corner. Parejo and Jonas went close after that, but an injury to Bony brought on Alvaro Vázquez, who got the ball in the net shortly before half time only for the referee to rule out the strike for a non-existent offside. After the restart Feghouli and Guardado could have added to the lead, but Vázquez could have saved a point for the Welsh team in the last minute if Mathieu had not cleared his effort off the line with keeper Diego Alves beaten. The win takes the Ches four points clear of their hosts in the table.

Sevilla 1 - Estoril 1

Sevilla stay in first place in their group despite a 1-1 draw against Estoril, and although mathematically they are at least sure of finishing ahead of Liberec to qualify for the next round, they could drop to second in the table if they lose by more than two goals against Freiburg in two weeks' time. The Andalusians got off to a good start, Gameiro running on to a Reyes through ball to open the scoring in only the seventh minute. Rakitic and Reyes brought good saves out of Vagner, and Gameiro went close after that, but Emery's side gradually ran out of steam, and the Portuguese team failed to convert a couple of chances before they got a deserved equaliser through Fernandes in the last minute.

Olympique Lyon 1 - Betis 0

Betis are sure of a place in the next round of the Europa League despite a 1-0 defeat at Olympique Lyon, a goal-less draw in the other group game between Rijeka and Guimaraes meaning that they are sure of finishing in the top two of their group. Honours were shared in the first half, Vercoutre doing well to keep out a long shot from Salva Sevilla, and Paulao clearing off the line from Lacazette after Andersen only half blocked his shot. After the interval Chuli fired a shot against the upright, but Andersen had to save from Gomis before the striker combined with Gourcuff and Lacazette to score what was to prove the only goal of the match midway through the second half. The result takes Lyon above the Andalusians in the table, and Pepe Mel's side now have to beat Rijeka and hope that the French side drop points at Guimaraes if they are to finish in first place in their group.