Defending champions Sevilla began their new Europa League campaign well, a comfortable 2-0 victory over Feyenoord taking them to joint top of their group on the opening day. Both goals came in the first half from wide Deulofeu free kicks, Krychowiak getting on the end of the first one, and M’Bia heading in the second. It could have been much more though if the Andalusians had taken advantage of some of the many chances which fell their way after that. Earlier in the evening Villarreal celebrated their return to Europe with a 1-1 draw at Borussia Mónchengladbach. Hermann gave the German side a first half lead, but Uche equalized just a minute after coming on as substitute some twenty minutes in to the second half. That was just about the end of his participation though, as he injured himself scoring the goal, and had to be replaced soon afterwards. (18.09.14)
Defending champions Sevilla began their new Europa League campaign well, a comfortable 2-0 victory over Feyenoord taking them to joint top of their group on the opening day. Both goals came in the first half from wide Deulofeu free kicks, Krychowiak getting on the end of the first one, and M’Bia heading in the second. It could have been much more though if the Andalusians had taken advantage of some of the many chances which fell their way after that, with Vermeer saving well from Deulofeu in particular, and Bacca, Reyes and Aspas missing easy chances. The Dutch side almost got one back though soon after M’Bia’s goal, Toornstra’s free kick beating Oscar Rico and coming back off both posts, but after that the young keeper was hardly troubled.
Villarreal celebrated their return to Europe with a 1-1 draw at Borussia Mónchengladbach in their first Europa League match. Hermann gave the German side a first half lead after picking up a loose ball on the edge of the area, and they could have been further ahead had Wendt, Kruse and Xhaka been able to convert their chances. However midway through the second half substitute Uche got on the end of a Manu Trigueros pass to equalize just a minute after making his appearance, injuring himself in the play and having to go off a couple of minutes later. His replacement Jonathan Dos Santos went close, and the Spaniards were lucky to be let off a possible late penalty for hands, but otherwise the two sides settled for a point in what, for both, should be the most difficult opponent they will face in this group.