News Archive

Europa League, day 2

Mixed results again for Spanish sides, although this time the opposite way round from the opening day. Villarreal beat Viktoria Plsen 1-0 for their first points in their mini-league, Leo Baptistao scoring the only goal following a spectacular run from inside his own half soon after the restart. Athletic Bilbao were beaten 2-1 by AZ Alkmaar however, a late goal from substitute Aduríz not enough to overturn a Henriksen strike and a Bóveda own goal. The Basque team drop to second spot behind Partizan Belgrade, who they meet next. (01.10.15)

AZ Alkmaar 2 - Athletic Bilbao 1

Athletic Bilbao drop to second in their group after they were beaten 2-1 by AZ Alkmaar. Ernesto Valverde made no less than 10 changes from his line-up against Real Sociedad at the weekend, but even so they started well, Coutinho having to save from Kike Sola, Eraso and Aketxe. Rienstra hit the post however and Gurpegi had to clear another effort off the line, and soon after the restart Henriksen put the Dutch side ahead, steering a shot past Herrerín after picking up a long pass from Rienstra. Soon afterwards Bóveda deflected a Haps cross into his own net, and Valverde turned to Williams, Raúl García and Aduríz. With a quarter of an hour Aduríz got one back after Williams and Bóveda combined to set him up, but in the end they ran out of time to do much else. (01.10.15)

Villarreal 1 – Viktoria Plsen 0

Villarreal picked up their first points in their mini-league after beating Viktoria Plsen 1-0 in their second group game. The Spanish side were on top for most of the match, Leo Baptistao bringing a good save out of Kozacik and Samu Castillejo and Soldado both firing shots wide before the break. Some ten minutes into the second half however Baptistao picked up the ball in his own half and ran on past several defenders to fire a shot inside the near post. The Czech side were left with ten men when Prochazka picked up a second booking with ten minutes to go, and Trigueros could have extended the lead had he been able to find the target near the end. (01.10.15)