News Archive

Europa League group stage, day one

Mixed results for Spanish teams in the first round of group games. Villarreal came from behind to beat FC Zurich 2-1, first half strikes from Alexandre Pato and Jonathan Dos Santos overturning Sadiku’s early opener. Celta began their European campaign with a 1-1 draw at Standard Liège, Rossi making it all square on the quarter hour mark after Dossevi had given the Belgian side the lead. But Athletic Bilbao were beaten 3-0 by Sassuolo, Lirola, Defrel and Politano getting the goals for the Italians after the break. (15.09.16)

Villarreal 2 � FC Zurich 1

Villarreal came from behind to beat FC Zurich 2-1 in their first Europa League group game. Fran Escrib�s side came in to the match full of confidence, knowing that the Swiss cup winners had been relegated to their second division this season. However with only a minute on the clock Sadiku picked up a loose pass by N�Diaye and ran on to fire a long shot wide of Andr�s. Pato went close a couple of times though before he picked up a through ball from Jonathan Dos Santos to level the scores, and with half time approaching Dos Santos combined with Pato to volley home a second. After the interval Sarr felt he should have had a penalty when V�ctor Ru�z brought him down in the area, and Santos Borr� tested Vanins a couple of times, but in the end the locals held on for the win.

Standard Li�ge 1 � Celta 1

Celta began their first European campaign in ten years with a 1-1 draw at Standard Li�ge. The Galicians went behind early on, Dossevi intercepting a Costas pass in midfield and running on to steer an angled shot past Sergio Alvarez. However just ten minutes later Rossi picked up a short Costas free kick and fired in a speculative shot from outside of the area which bounced past Gillet and inside the near post. The local keeper did well to save from Rossi a few minutes later, and Raman put a couple of good chances wide before the break. And after the restart the visitors came closest to scoring, Pablo Hern�ndez in particular heading a free kick and then a corner just over the top. In the end though both sides settled for a point in what is a difficult group, with Ajax and Panathinaikos the other two teams competing with them. (16.09.16)

Sassuolo 3 � Athletic Bilbao 0

A disastrous start for Athletic Bilbao in their latest European campaign, the Basque side losing 3-0 to Italian newcomers Sassuolo. Valverde�s side started well, Yeray and De Marcos going close, and later in the first half Be�at put Consigli to the test with a couple of efforts. However with just under an hour on the clock Spanish youth international cut a swathe through the defence to give the locals the lead, and a few minutes later Defrel made it two after San Jos� gifted the ball to him. With ten minutes to go Defrel set up Politano for a third, and only a good save by Herrer�n prevented Ragusa from adding a fourth near the end. (15.09.16)