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 Escribá’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 Andrés. 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 Víctor Ruíz brought him down in the area, and Santos Borré tested Vanins a couple of times, but in the end the locals held on for the win.

Standard Liège 1 – Celta 1

Celta began their first European campaign in ten years with a 1-1 draw at Standard Liège. 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 Hernández 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 Beñat 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 José gifted the ball to him. With ten minutes to go Defrel set up Politano for a third, and only a good save by Herrerín prevented Ragusa from adding a fourth near the end. (15.09.16)