News Archive

Europa League, round of 32, second leg

All four Spanish teams will be in tomorrow’s last 16 draw after they won through their ties tonight! Valencia were already sure of their place after their 6-0 win against Rapid Vienna in the first leg, and they added four more with second half strikes from Rodrigo, Feghouli, Piatti and Vezo to make it a record 10-0 on aggregate for Gary Neville’s side. Defending champions Sevilla also took a three goal lead into their second leg at Molde, and although they lost 1-0 on the night (goal by Eirik Hestad), the result was never really in doubt. Not so easy however for Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal, both seeing their single goal victories from last week cancelled out before drawing 1-1 and winning through in the end. Michel’s Olympique Marseille took the lead in the San Mamés stadium late in the first half through Batshuayi, and it was not until nine minutes before the final whistle that Sabin headed the equalizer to take Athletic through. And Villarreal went a goal down to Napoli, Hamsik the scorer, before Tomás Pina netted a vital away goal with a cross-come-shot on the hour mark. (25.02.16)

Rapid Vienna 0 - Valencia 4

Valencia were already sure of their place in the last sixteenafter their 6-0 win against Rapid Vienna in the first leg, and they added four more in the return match to make it a record 10-0 on aggregate for Gary Neville’s side. Despite the hopeless situation, a large crowd still turned out in the Ernst Happoel stadium, although that was somewhat spoilt by a couple of offensive banners against the Spanish side. Ryan did have a couple of saves to make, in particular from a header by Schwab and a Petsos free kick, but the Ches scored three times on quick breakaways in a twelve minute period in the second half, and Rubén Vezo rounded things off heading the fourth from Piatti’s corner near the end.

Athletic Bilbao 1 - Olympique Marseille 1

Athletic Bilbao are through to the next round of the competition, although they left it late before a headed goal from Sabin gave them a 2-1 aggregate win against Olympique Marseille. The one goal victory in the first leg gave the Basque side the advantage at the start, but Michel’s team dominated the first half, and they levelled the tie shortly before the break when Batshuayi connected with Mendy’s cross to beat Herrerín at the second attempt. Raúl García headed wide and Mandanda had to tip a dangerous Susaeta free kick over the top, but the visitors came close to a second away goal before Sabin flung himself forward to head in Susaeta’s cross with ten minutes left on the clock.

Molde 1 - Sevilla 0

Defending champions Sevilla made it through to the last sixteen despite a 1-0 defeat at Molde in their second leg tie. Emery’s side had a three goal start from the week before, although the cold and the rainy conditions on an artificial pitch levelled the playing field. Banega did hit the bar with a long shot in the first half, but shortly before the break Fazio could only head Tolvio’s cross as far as Eirik Hestad, who fired a shot past David Soria. After the interval Flo had to clear another Banega effort off the line with the keeper beaten, but although the result was never really in doubt, Sevilla’s away record this season continues to be a worry.

Napoli 1 - Villarreal 1

A close call in the end, but a vital away goal by Tomás Pina took Villarreal through to the next stage of the Europa League. Marcelino’s team took a slim 1-0 lead into this match, and although Bakambu and Soldado tested Reina in the opening minutes, a volley by Hamsik after Víctor Ruíz headed out an Albiol centre cancelled out the advantage. Musacchio deflected a shot from Mertens on to the bar, and Areola had to save from David López and Inisgne, but a quarter of an hour in to the second half a corner came out to Pina on the left of the area, and he swung the ball back over the head of Reina into the far corner of the net. The midfielder was a bit coy about the goal in the post-match interview, but whether he meant it or not, it was enough to kill off any further threat from Sarri’s side.